PHL men’s volleyball scene set for a huge boost after Spiker’s Turf’s return

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

After a long wait, the Philippine men’s professional volleyball scene will once again ignite thousands of fans as the Spiker’s Turf tournament is set to kick off on October 16, 2024.

The country’s only professional men’s volleyball league will host the Invitational Conference, which will feature 10 official competing franchises.

Gracing the last men’s volleyball tourney of the year are the reigning Spiker’s Turf Open Conference kings, the Cignal HD Spikers alongside their rival squad Criss Cross King Crunchers.

The D’Navigators Iloilo, a club that has been consistent in its playoff campaigns, also formalized its entry into the Invitational Conference.

Completing the list of competing squads are the PGJC Navy Sealions, Savouge Aesthetics Spin Doctors, VNS Griffins, Chichi DHTSI Titans, Martelli Meats Masters Butcher, Far Eastern University-DN Steel Ultras, and the De La Salle University-EcoOil Green Oilers.

The tournament proper will begin on October 16, and will be held at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig. A doubleheader schedule will kick off the festivities.

Tournament officials bared that the Invitational Conference will run until December 15, 2024, and will observe a round-robin format in the classification phase.

The top four teams will then advance to the semifinal round and will take on undisclosed teams in the highly-anticipated playoff race.

“It’s a great development for the sport that we’re getting prime-time slots. This will boost visibility, helping men’s volleyball gain the recognition and audience it deserves,” said Spikers’ Turf tournament director Mozzy Ravena.