PVL on Tour Opens in Vigan With Intense Matches

The Premier Volleyball League brings elite volleyball to the provinces as it kicks off PVL on Tour this Sunday, June 22, in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

This pre-season spectacle is expected to match the intensity and drama of the regular season.

PVL president Ricky Palou said the two-month tour not only aims to bring the sport closer to regional fans but also supports the national team’s buildup for international duties, including the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand this December.

“This tour is about connecting with our regional fans and helping the national team gear up for bigger battles,” said Palou.

“It’s also a stage for clubs to evaluate their new recruits and recalibrate strategies before the main season.”

Aside from a few matches at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan, the games will take place in Batangas City, Ilagan City in Isabela, and Passi City in Iloilo.

This highlights the league’s goal of expanding its national reach.

Despite the absence of key Alas Pilipinas players such as Capital1’s Bella Belen, Cignal’s Vanie Gandler and Dawn Catindig, ZUS Coffee’s Thea Gagate, and PLDT’s Dell Palomata, the field remains wide open and fiercely competitive.

Their absence levels the playing field and shines the spotlight on rising stars and team systems.

Twelve teams, split into two pools, are preparing for a grueling yet exciting tournament.

Pool A includes Petro Gazz, Choco Mucho, PLDT, Galeries Tower, Farm Fresh and Nxled.

Pool B features Creamline, Chery Tiggo, Cignal, Akari, ZUS Coffee and Capital1.

The format adds to the drama, with a single round-robin elimination round from June 22 to July 29.

The top two teams from each pool advance directly to the quarterfinals.

Teams ranked third to sixth play in a knockout round, with winners moving to another do-or-die phase.

The semifinals and medal matches will also be single-elimination games.

Winners will earn spots in the PVL Invitational set for Aug. 19 to 29, where they will face two guest squads.

Action begins in Vigan on Sunday with Akari taking on Cignal at 4 p.m., followed by Creamline facing Capital1 at 6:30 p.m.

On Monday, June 23, Cignal plays the Solar Spikers while Creamline battles the Chargers in an early test for both.

The tour moves to Batangas City on June 28, featuring Choco Mucho vs. Galeries Tower and a primetime clash between Nxled and defending champion Petro Gazz.

The next day, the Angels face the Highrisers while the Flying Titans go up against the Chameleons.

Even without national team stars, PVL on Tour promises no shortage of excitement.

Each game shifts the dynamics, with new leaders expected to emerge, rookies gaining key experience, and teams striving to prove themselves in unfamiliar settings.

This tour is anything but predictable.