“We will still have the collegiate division and it’s going back to the V-League. As you know it all started it there, both men’s and women’s division,” said SVMGI President Ricky Palou during the session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association on Tuesday.

SVMGI wanted to give the student-athletes an avenue where they can showcase their skills on the court and will be holding competitions for both men’s and women’s division, Palou added. 

V-League was the original name used by the organization when it was founded in 2004 giving collegiate teams a platform for their pre-season tournaments in the UAAP and NCAA.

In 2011, V-League has opened its doors for corporate clubs and military teams while still holding competitions for the student-athletes in their Collegiate Conference.

With PVL going pro, the organization will be shifting its focus to the club teams which currently total to 12 teams including a guest team from the Philippine Army.

Collegiate players have the option to suit up for the professional league by securing a special guest license (SGL) from the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).

The special license from GAB will retain their amateur status and keep their eligibility in their respective leagues.

“The condition is, they must secure the permission of their school, and the permission of their leagues. So, that’s the condition that they have to comply with. If the schools allow them, and the league allows them, they will be allowed to play,” said Palou. 

NCAA will honor the SGL, however, the same will not apply to UAAP student-athletes as this will forfeit their eligibility to play in the collegiate league.