2016 is set to become a banner year for the Philippine Superliga (PSL), the premiere semi-professional club volleyball organization in the country, as it is slated to host two major international tournaments that would put the Philippines back on the international volleyball map. And that would be the AVC Asian Women's Club Championship (September 3-11, 2016) and the FIVB World Women's Club Championship (October 18-23, 2016), both to be held within the long holiday season in the country.
Backed by the national government and Larong Volleyball ng Pilipinas, Inc. (LVPI), the PSL has already began making preparations for its hosting of the two tournaments following the drawing of lots for the Asian tournament and a memorandum of agreement signed by both the PSL and the FIVB one week after the said drawing. Reigning PSL Grand Prix champion Foton will represent the country for the Asian joust, while six local players from the Superliga and six quality imports will be recruited as the country's representatives to the world club tourney. And yet, it is just the beginning.
Hosting two big international tournaments is probably an important contribution to Philippine volleyball so far following the end of an era that not only changed the landscape of the sport but also catapulted the sport to wide popularity with the De La Salle University Lady Archers breaking the tie over the Ateneo de Manila Lady Eagles for five seasons in UAAP women's volleyball, and it is the first time since 2000 that our country will host such an important event. This time, the Philippines is not only slated to win any of these two important tourneys, but also treat its fans to world-class volleyball action with some of the best volleyball players from all over the world.
Indeed, 2016 could be seen as a banner year for volleyball in the Philippines. But what happened after the year of the monkey would depend on the outcome of these two tournaments and the reception of the Filipino nation regarding volleyball.
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