The Philippine Superliga (PSL) will soon be back and with a promise of thrilling, more exciting matches when its Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup 2020 unwraps on November 26 in Subic.
PSL Chairman Philip Ella Juico said the country’s top volleyball league is now preparing to restart its season under the new normal after the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF) gave it the green light to play.
A former chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Juico said his team has formed a medical committee that works hand in hand with the (IATF) and Department of Health (DoH) to make sure that all the safe and healthy protocols of the government are being met.
Among the safety measures that the PSL will put in place are the usual temperature checking, observance of social distancing and wearing of masks and shields.
The league will also designate a single entry and exit point and make sure that packed meals are distributed in an orderly manner to avoid contracting the coronavirus disease.
“We’re doing all of these for our fans and supporters who have waited long enough for intense volleyball action,” Juico said.
“Restarting the season is not easy. But we are willing to do it for our fans, players, coaches, team owners, league personnel and all stakeholders who are seriously craving for the return of volleyball. We, however, have to do it safely and effectively.”
Juico added that the PSL’s host – the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) – has been supporting the league in crafting all the health and safety protocols.
“SBMA has been very supportive,” he said.
“They are also helping us craft our guidelines in compliance with that of the IATF and DOH so that everybody will be safe and healthy.”
The last time the PSL was held was in March featuring imports from countries like the United States, Serbia, Montenegro and Canada.
But with the government imposing nationwide community quarantine two weeks later, the league had no choice but to send home the foreign players and indefinitely suspend its season.
Juico said they are looking at having all their member teams in Petron, F2 Logistics, Cignal, Chery Tiggo, PLDT Home Fibr, Generika-Ayala, Marinerang Pilipina and Sta. Lucia field two teams each for a total of 16 teams.
“So far, everybody is committed. We are very thankful to the teams, to our media partner in TV5, to SBMA and to all stakeholders for helping us in restarting our season,” Juico said.
