By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Organizers are looking at two possible venues to hold the first conference of the Premier Volleyball League next year once it gets approval from the Inter-Agency Task Force to resume.
Sports Vision President Ricky Palou said they are considering the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna to hold the tournament as well as the Trace College in Los Baños, Laguna upon recommendation of Games and Amusement Board (GAB) Chairman Baham Mitra.
It is likely that the tournament will be similar to the pro leagues currently being held at the moment where teams are confined in a single venue and competitions are played without an audience.
Inspire Sports Academy hosted the Chooks-To-Go 3×3 basketball bubble last month, while Trace College boasted of courts and hotels suitable for the league.
Palou also said they are still negotiating for a TV partner after its mother broadcaster, ABS-CBN Sports, shut down its operations due to the government’s decision not to renew its franchise.
Primary concern of the league is when and where to air the matches as the league wants to broadcast it live.
“We want to have at least one game day on a weekend. If possible, two game days on a weekend. But nothing is definite yet,” Palou said.
The league hopes to start the season with the Open Conference in February or March.
PVL became the first volleyball league in the country to turn professional after 16 years, with players and team officials embracing the chance as a step towards strengthening the sport locally.
“Right now, we can already provide the opportunity for the players to choose volleyball as their career and that for me is something else. This is a new beginning for all of us and we trust that this is a step towards the betterment of the sport,” BanKo Perlas team manager Charo Soriano said.
