Interest in MPVA grows

At least eight teams have already expressed their intention to join the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association set to roll out in October.

Marikina City and Nueva Ecija were the first teams to seal their commitment to join in the inaugural women's tournament with six other cities and provinces expected to sign up soon.

Councilor Elvis Tolentino, who spearheads the basketball and volleyball programs of Marikina City, recently inked a certificate of participation to formalize the city's entry into the MPVA.

Present to witness the signing were Atty. Glen Gacal of MPVA and tournament commissioner Mike Tavera.

Tolentino, who is also the head coach of the Marikina Shoemasters playing in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, said that joining the league opens an opportunity for Marikeños to showcase their volleyball skills.

Marikina City actively promotes sports as part of Mayor Marcy Teodoro's centerpiece youth and sports development program.

Also expected to join the MPVA are Muntinlupa City, Caloocan City, Imus City, San Juan, Quezon Province and Batangas City.

A brainchild of Filipino boxing icon and Senator Manny Pacquiao, the league aims to highlight local and community-based talents.

As an initial offering, the MPVA plans to stage an Invitational tournament that will run until the first week of December featuring eight to 12 teams, according to a source privy with the developments.

Team rosters will be composed of a mix of community, school and regular volleyball players.

The league will follow the exact MPBL blueprint where one of the basic requirements is for each team to have homegrown players – residents of the city or province they're representing – with additional guest players.

Teams must also have a home court as the league will follow a home-and-away format.

Also in the pipeline is for MPVA to stage both women's and men's competitions by next year.