MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) and Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) president Tats Suzara officially recognized the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) as the Philippines' primary and only professional volleyball league.

During the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference press conference in Manila, Suzara expressed full support for the country's premier women's volleyball league, calling it the top organization in the nation. This acknowledgment underscores the PVL's progression from its beginnings as the Shakey's V-League in 2004 to becoming a professional league in 2021.

The league's upcoming All-Filipino Conference will be its longest tournament to date, stretching over six months and aligning with the international FIVB calendar.

Sponsored by Arena Plus, Fabriano Appliances, Milcu, Watsons, iColor and Argan Beauty, this conference provides participating teams with a significant preparation period for future international tournaments, including the 2024 AVC Champions League in Seoul, South Korea.

More so, the champion of the All-Filipino Conference will also represent the Philippines in the AVC Champions League. To reduce financial stress on the competing club, the PVL will cover all travel and accommodation expenses, allowing the team to focus solely on the competition.

Moreover, each team is permitted to recruit two foreign players, thus enhancing the roster's competitiveness as they face top Asian clubs.

"The PVL is committed to fully supporting our representative club in the AVC Champions League," said Suzara, urging teams to leverage this opportunity to shine on the international stage. "Thanks to the collaboration with (PVL president) Ricky Palou, all expenses, including travel and logistics for the AVC tournament, will be managed by PVL."

To further strengthen officiating standards, the PNVF has appointed international referee Yul Benosa as the chief officiating coordinator for the PVL. Additionally, international neutral referees will oversee the semifinals and finals, ensuring fair play and adherence to global standards.

The league also organized a technical workshop for referees, coaches, and players, aiming to standardize knowledge and improve the game experience.

"This workshop is designed to empower all participants with a thorough understanding of the latest rules and techniques. We're thrilled to have the support of the PNVF in bringing PVL to new heights," said Palou. TMT