In line with its vision of inclusive and decentralized sports development, UP Cebu has expressed strong support for the launch of the V-League Visayas, a landmark initiative aimed at empowering regional athletic talent and creating new pathways to national success.
“Dili lang ang Capital ang mahimong sentro sa sports. Ang tanang rehiyon, tanang eskwelahan, tanang pamilya nga nagtuo sa ilang mga anak – naay papel sa kalampusan sa nasud,” said Chancellor Atty. Leo Malagar of UP Cebu.
Malagar emphasized that UP Cebu is proud to be part of the historic V-League Visayas, describing it as a long-overdue opportunity for student-athletes from the region to showcase their skills and compete on a national platform.
Set to launch on July 5 through a Campus Tour, the V-League Visayas features six pioneering teams. In consideration of academic commitments, matches will take place on weekends to ensure that student-athletes maintain balance between sports and studies.
“This initiative benefits not only our student-athletes, but also their families, schools and communities,” said Malagar. “Competing closer to home promotes mental wellness, strengthens family ties and nurtures students' growth – not only in skill but also in character and dignity, under the guidance of those who raised them.”
Malagar also extended gratitude to Sports Vision Management Group Inc. and V-League Visayas commissioner Ken Ucang for spearheading the project, calling it a "visionary step" and merely the beginning of a larger movement.
Sports Vision first brought volleyball into the national collegiate spotlight in 2004 through the Shakey’s V-League. After rebranding in 2017 and transitioning into the professional Premier Volleyball League in 2021, the organization has now returned to its grassroots mission through the V-League Visayas, targeting student-athletes and school-based teams with the support of local governments.
The goal is not only to discover and develop regional talents, but to prepare them for possible inclusion in future national teams.
“We call on all higher education institutions – including those in the Capital – to support a truly national approach to sports development,” said Malagar. “Let us build programs that uplift local athletes, schools and communities from the ground up.”
Malagar cautioned against the risks of a Capital-centric sports system that, while yielding short-term wins for a few elite schools, may undermine the long-term development of Philippine sports.
“It is time for sports leaders, media, and major sponsors to look beyond Metro Manila – beyond the UAAP and NCAA,” he said. “It’s time to uplift regional leagues like SCUAA and PRISAA, not as mere recruitment pools, but as national sporting events that embody the heart and soul of the Filipino athletic spirit.”
By investing in initiatives like the V-League Visayas, Malagar believes the nation can build a sports ecosystem that reflects the diversity, talent and untapped potential of all Filipinos – not just those in the Big City.
“By supporting regional athletes, we are strengthening the foundation of national sports. We are telling young players: You don’t need to leave home to grow,” he said.
“Diri pa lang daan, makasugod na sila og damgo,” Malagar added.
This marks a pivotal step in building a stronger grassroots system – one that fosters not just volleyball excellence, but holistic development across all sports disciplines.
In the search for future Olympians and world-class athletes, Malagar said, the answer may not lie in Metro Manila alone. “Excellence exists everywhere. What our athletes in the regions need is support, visibility and structure.”
