Love is universal.

It knows no gender, age, or distance. It doesn't discriminate. It doesn't judge. Love is unconditional.

Premier Volleyball League stars are as passionate about the affairs of the heart as their performance inside the court.

"Love is a two-way feeling," Chery Tiggo team captain Aby Maraño said.

"Both parties should meet in the middle. It won't work with just one doing the effort. Also, before you give your love to someone you should learn to love yourself first."

But who makes the usually intense and beast-mode-don't-care middle blocker heart's flutter?

"Of course, Kamille Cal!" Maraño blushed.

"She makes me kilig all the time. Every single day she makes me feel what my worth is and at the same time, the courtship never stopped. She's consistent, in fairness," Maraño said of her partner, who plays for Nxled.

For the Chameleons setter being in a relationship is not all about the warm fuzzy feeling. It takes time, effort, mutual respect and unconditional love to make it work.

"Love is hard. But yeah, it is hard, it is not just about the kilig factor or kilig feeling because love is a choice," Cal said.

The Philippine volleyball community has long accepted and supported their favorite stars' romantic relationship preferences.

One of the most celebrated volleyball couples is Choco Mucho's Deanna Wong and Ivy Lacsina of Nxled.

However, their popularity often subjects the couple to public scrutiny, especially on social media.

But the partners have learned not to let what others have to say affect their blooming relationship.

"We always talk about how to handle those things. We filter out the things that would help us and those that would not," Lacsina said.

"If it's not healthy for us we'll just ignore it. But if it will make our relationship stronger we'll embrace it."

Being athletes and in the same circle also helps.

"Yes, correct. We encourage each other although we're competitors. We help each other to improve," Maraño said.

"I share with her my knowledge of volleyball. I comfort her after a long day at practice or in games as she would do to me. Even if I'm her senior I make it a point to listen to her point of view."

Cal also believes that being in the same field is an advantage.

"I think it would be difficult if my partner is not an athlete. There are things that others might not understand like the tight schedule, very strict schedule, discipline in food, discipline in movement and even hanging out," she said.

"It's not easy to be an athlete and we can't do the normal things people normally do, we really have to be extra and we do it with effort."

Lacsina also agrees.

"Deanna is a great partner. The advantage of both of us being athletes is that we understand each other well," she said.

"We are competitors inside the court, but outside we help each other improve our craft. After all, we are partners."