THE PREMIER Volleyball League (PVL) has been officially recognized as the Philippines’ only professional league by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF).

During a press conference at Novotel Manila on November 4, PNVF and Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) president Tats Suzara presented a certificate of recognition to PVL president Ricky Palou.

Suzara reaffirmed the PNVF’s full support for the league, which originated as the Shakey’s V-League in 2004 and transitioned to a professional status in 2021.

As part of this commitment, the PVL All-Filipino Conference champion will represent the country in the AVC Champions League, with the PVL covering all travel and accommodation expenses to ensure the team can focus on competition.

“The PVL is dedicated to supporting our representative club in the AVC Champions League,” said Suzara. “All expenses, including travel and logistics, will be managed by the PVL.”

The PVL All-Filipino Conference begins on November 9 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City and will run for six months, aligning with the international Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) calendar.

The opening matches feature Akari against Galeries Tower at 4 p.m. and Choco Mucho facing the Petro Gazz Angels at 6:30 p.m.

After a single round-robin preliminary round, teams will be ranked according to the FIVB classification system, leading to a playoff structure that ensures only the best teams advance.

“This alignment with the FIVB calendar enhances our league’s standard and brings more excitement to our fans,” said PVL Control Committee chairman Sherwin Malonzo.

Additionally, international referee Yul Benosa has been appointed as the chief officiating coordinator, with international neutral referees overseeing the semifinals and finals. The league has also organized a technical workshop aimed at standardizing knowledge and enhancing the game experience for referees, coaches, and players.

“This workshop empowers all participants with a solid understanding of the latest rules and techniques,” Palou remarked. “We’re excited about the PNVF’s support in elevating the PVL to new heights.”