I HAVE to give it to Sports Vision Management Group for its vision.

Women’s volleyball here has reached a level comparable to what the PBA was before in terms of popularity and fan base.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the men’s side as up to now, it has failed to get traction and as a business, unless one has deep pockets, it will be hard to sustain.

In 2019, when we hosted the SEA Games here, I thought it was poised to go to the next level after reaching the finals but bowed down to Indonesia before a big crowd at hand.

Our women’s team , powered by our superstar players, also lost to Indonesia but the match was only for the bronze as mighty Thailand swept the field for the gold, beating Vietnam in the finals.

Then came Covid 19 in 2020 and life came to a halt, including sports, so did the hoped for rise for men’s volleyball here.

Fast forward to 2024 and I get an invite to the first-ever press conference for the SpikersTurf Open Conference starting this Wednesday at the Paco Arena with an expanded field including two new teams on top of last year’s 7 squads, including defending champions Cignal.

And I asked the first question too in the presscon about the commitment of these current teams as Ricky Palou had pointed out to me last year the need to have teams that would be in and out, good to hear that most are looking beyond this year, that should include newcomer Criss Cross, one of the fancied teams with Marck Espejo as its cornerstone and Thai coach Bundit Tai at the helm.

I also inquired about the parity in the league and tournament director Mozzy Ravena said Cignal will be contending with more teams this time, presscon emcee Sev Sarmenta on the side agreed as he covers volleyball regularly.

I will take their word but will also see for myself the games as I promised my friend Rhea Navarro that I will be waching the men’s side too now, more so that Rizal Memorial Coliseum is one of the 5 regular venues and I am at the RMSC practically every day.

Spikers Turf President Alyssa Valdez shared with me two reasons why the women’s side attracts more fans, the long rallies in the games and that maybe, fans find it more relatable as a sport. She also promised to watch the games herself and encourage too other female players to drop by the games and support men’s volleyball.

Mozzy added that the fact that Spikers Turf will be played in 5 venues should help expose the games more, aside from the Rizal Memorial, the games will also be held at the Paco Arena, Ynares and Philsports in Pasig, and in Sta. Rosa , Laguna.

But the best idea for me was the suggestion by Jayvee Sumagaysay, a player for D’ Navigators team, and it came after the presscon already.

I was waiting for my valet-parked car outside Discovery Suites, so was Jayvee, and he initiated a conversation, remembering me from the presscon upstairs, truth is I have not seen a men’s volleyball game yet and I am not familiar with the players , nor are they familiar with me.

Learned he was Yeng Guiao’s grandson and was named after PBA player Jayvee Gayoso.He started in basketball but ended up in volleyball. I checked with volleyball regular Joey Villar after about Jayvee and Joey said he is a pretty good player, I believe Joey.

What Jayvee suggested was an eye opener.

He said why not play men’s games together with the women’s games at the PVL, in this way, there is an assured crowd on hand, assuming of course that the heavyweight teams like Creamline or Choco Mucho will also be playing to ensure many fans will be present.

Maybe because these are two separate brands for Sports Vision, what can be considered is include a good men’s game twice a month, even more maybe, and make it a three game day, sandwiching the men’s game between two women’s matches.

I hope Ricky seriously consider trying this out, it is a simple solution that certainly will help expose men’s volleyball to a much bigger fan base.

Just a reminder, facing off on opening day , Wednesday, March 13 at 4 PM at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum are the other newcomer team Richmarc Sports against Philippine Air Force , and Cignal matching up with Philippine Navy.

C’mon guys and gals, let us support men’s volleyball too, okay?