Following the advancement to the professional status of Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3, National Basketball League (NBL), and Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) early this year, PVL decided to submit an application to the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) in hopes of gaining a professional status after 16 years of existence.

Once approved in the official virtual announcement to be made by GAB on Friday, November 13, PVL will return to the Philippine sports scene as a professional league next year.

The semi-pro league started as Shakey’s V-League in 2004 before rebranding into its current name in 2017. 

Among the present rosters, five teams – Creamline, PetroGazz, Choco Mucho, Motolite, and Banko Perlas – have come in unison to become a professional league, League Commissioner Tony Boy Liao confirmed on Thursday.  

“We are so happy that our member Club teams agreed with our moving forward to become a Professional league as per mandated by the GAB,” Laio said in an interview with Spin.ph.

Having PVL in an official pro status will heighten league, clubs, and players. It will help in the refinement of Philippine Volleyball as well.

“We felt that now is the time to turn pro. I think it should be good for the league. It should be good for the players,” Sports Vision President Ricky Palou said.  

“In the past, kasi kulang talaga yung players were making use of a lot of collegiate players. Now, there are enough players pwede na mag turn pro.” he added.

According to Palau, the transition will help young athletes to engage more in fostering and expanding their skills in volleyball. 

“We’re hoping it will develop more interest among the young for the sport. Makikita nila na may professional volleyball league, maeenganyo yung mga bata to really develop their skills in volleyball para makalaro sila professional league,” Palao remarked.

Despite the advancement, BaliPure and Chef’s Classics–whose line-up is composed of collegiate players is still doubtful.  

“As for BaliPure and Chef’s Classics, because of their lineup in using student-athletes, their club teams can’t qualify turning pro unless they use non-student athletes,” Liao revealed.

The Airforce and Army were forbidden to join any pro leagues considering they were associated with the government. While Sports Vision is still in talks with GAB as to what will happen to the military teams.

“The Army and Air Force teams can’t turn pro neither because they are affiliated with the government. But they can participate as guest teams.” He added.

According to Palou, the league is eyeing to start its bubble match in February or March in 2021.

“When the IATF gives us the go signal, most likely we will start with our Open Conference in February or March,” Liao said.

GAB Chairman Abraham Kahlil “Baham” Mitra is also delighted with the league’s decision.

“We are happy that they finally saw the light and the advantages of turning professional is tremendous in terms of advertising values and growth of the league,” Mitra said.

PVL is currently in discussion with GMA 7 and TV5 of who would be its broadcasting network partner once the PVL plans to kick off.