Ten pioneering women’s teams will slug it out for pride and glory in the inaugural Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association which kicks off next month.
No less than eight-division boxing world champion and former Senator Manny Pacquiao led the formal launch of his latest sports project which aims to bring volleyball closer to fans through a community-based league backed by local government units.
The field will be composed of squads coming from Quezon City, Marikina City, Caloocan, Rizal, City of Biñan, Naisipit in Agusan del Norte, City of Manila, Bulacan, Bacoor and another yet-to-be-confirmed participant which will carry the Blue Hawks moniker.
MPVA will make a formal announcement of its opening date and schedule of games soon.
Pacquiao hopes that the MPVA will follow the success of his other sports league, the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
“I’m hoping this inaugural season of the MPVA will be an unforgettable moment (for local volleyball talents and fans). Just like in the MPBL where we received overwhelming support from every corner of the country, I’m hoping MPVA will have the same reception,” Pacquiao said during the press conference held at the Sheraton Hotel.
Each team must have at least three homegrown talents and a maximum of three former professional players. A total of 19 players are allowed in each squad.
Last 7 September, MPVA held a scouting combine where close to 70 players showed up to be evaluated by scouts and team coaches.
The league will use a home-and-away format where teams will host visiting rivals in back-to-back games.
“Before we accepted the teams, we made sure that they could comply with our venue requirements. They should have gyms that can be laid down with taraflex flooring,” Pacquiao said.
Games will be played in a single round-robin elimination while the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals are best-of-three affairs.
The video challenge system will be used starting semis.
