Through the years, the growth of the sport in the country begins with the mention of Shakey’s V-League (SVL) which was established by Sports Vision Management Group, Inc. in 2004. This is one of the reasons why setting out tourney marked the breakthrough of volleyball recognition.

Back then, the league was only exclusive as an intercollegiate women’s league that gained popularity at the collegiate level.

Women’s Volleyball tournaments from the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc (CESAFI) boosts the sports that led it to mainstream gaining more fans and volleyball supporters.

Breaking the ground in 2011, SVL granted the presence of non-collegiate and corporate units to participate in games that propagate exposure and opportunities to teams and the players.

From one open conference to gaining more conferences, the success of these games encourages following the footsteps of Men’s Basketball in the country.

Given the success of the league, Sports Vision decided to outgrow the men’s division into a separate league that showed fruit to Spikers’ Turf.

In its 2017 Season, Shakey’s V-League was rebranded to Premier Volleyball League (PVL), a semi-professional volleyball league for women. Brought with it is the merged back of Spikers’ Turf to PVL, however, concluded its final Turf with the 2018 PVL Collegiate Conference.

Right after, Men’s Volleyball split up with the league and turned tail as Spikers’ Turf in a separate entity.

This year where the league season layoff due to the growing COVID-19 Pandemic, excitement buzzes the sports landscape as PVL formally announces the Games and Amusements Board (GAB)’s decision on turning PVL into a professional league.

PVL has already set its mind on turning pro in 2016 when Shakey’s V-League was rebranded into PVL but the organization has to decline because they believe the clubs are not ready yet.

PVL was already a semi-professional League, but why turn into a professional League? Still, no details have been disclosed about the new guidelines for the changeover. Regardless, I take it that having a professional status can benefit not just the careers of the athletes but the entire volleyball community as well.

Although the same routines and training are done, shifting to pro gives a lot of gains and losses. First off, PVL teams consisted of players from Collegiate, Corporate, and Military. With the officials hinting only taking full-time players, the development of going pro could build discord among team members.

This could put players in an unfathomable situation of going pro and leaving their collegiate leagues as well as canceling their amateur statuses. Or staying in their respective collegiate leagues and dropping out from the pro play.

Giving way to the league’s brave decision, it adds a load of great deals in the stability of PVL. Because having a professional status brings prominence and prestige to the players.

Some perks of playing pro could give security for players’ career and achieving their dreams of stepping into a pro league.

And Just like in other professional sports, this could help motivate players to pursue professional and help expand the volleyball community through maximizing the talents and potential of athletes.