Spikers’ Turf Open Conference papalo sa Enero 21

SISIMULAN ng Spikers Turf ang kanilang bagong season sa Enero 21 na may 11 teams ang mag lalaban para sa Open Conference title sa Paco Arena sa Manila.

National University (NU) -Sta-Alena ang tinanghal na kampeon nakaraang taon matapos idispatsa ang Cignal HD.

“With more teams, we expect a tougher competition,” Wika ni NU assistant coach Dong dela Cruz sa Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum sa ground floor ng Philippine Sports Commission building sa loob ng Rizal Memorial Sports Complex Martes.

“I think we will be the youngest team to compete because I don’t think our UAAP players can join,” Dagdag nya.

Ang Bulldogs na ngayon ay suportado ng Archipelago Builders, ay walang Joshua Retamar at Nico Almendras na parehong pangungunahan ang kampanya ng NU sa UAAP Season 85 sa susunod na buwan.

Lalahok rin sa kauna-unahang men’s volleyball league ng bansa na inorganisa ng Sports Vision ay ang Cignal, PGJC-Navy, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Army, VNS Volleyball Club, Santa Rosa City and newcomers AMC Volleyball, City of Imus, D’ Navigators Iloilo and Vanguard Volleyball Team.

“It’s really a blessing that we’re getting more teams interested in joining the Spikers’ Turf. We’re growing and this is a good sign. It just shows everybody that there really is interest not only in women’s volley but also in the men’s side,”Wika ni Sports Vision President Ricky Palou.

“Our aim is to really look for new talents for the sport to hopefully come up with a really good national team. So far, it’s slowly happening and we’re happy with the results and we hope it’s going to get bigger and we’re hoping to bring the Spikers’ Turf to greater heights,”Dagdag [pa ni Palou.

Kasama ni Palou sa linggohang talakayan sina Spikers’ Turf president Alyssa Valdez, tournament director Mozzy Ravena at Von Reinhart Gaa, Cignal TV’s OIC for Channel Management and Programming for Sports.

“Our tagline is ‘Where Power Meets Passion.’ It’s very apt because we know that men’s volleyball is not at par with the popularity and support women’s volleyball get so what you see here (forum), all of them are very passionate people and even the players and the people behind Sports Vision,” Tugon ni Ravena, dating UST volleyball player at ina ng basketball players Kiefer and Thirdy.

Ang game schedule ay tuwing, Biyernes at Linggo na may dalawang laro sa 4pm. at 6 pm. Ang team ay lalaro single round robin elimination round.

Ang top four ay aabante sa semifinal, at isa pang single round robin na ang top two ay magtatagpo sa best-of-three finals.

“We want to show how exciting and fun men’s volleyball is. We’re just really happy that teams and sponsors don’t get tired to be here, to be part of the Spikers’ Turf,” Wika ni Valdez, na naglaro para sa Ateneo sa UAAP.

Present rin sa forum sina Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor, Imus head coach Sammy Acaylar, Santa Rosa assistant coach Carlos Cantor, D’ Navigators coordinator Francis Babon, Navy head coach Cecille Cruzada, Air Force head coach Jhim Merza, Army player Ken Baloaloa, Vanguard head coach Edjet Mabbayad and VNS head coach Ralph Ocampo. AMC has no representative.

“Last season, you already know who will be in the top four. But this time, you cannot predict because the teams are stronger now. For me, Imus, Cignal, NU, AMC,” Sambit ni Cruzada, nagiisang babaeng coach ng liga.