The inaugural V-League Visayas is more than just a regional tournament – it’s a bold declaration that talent knows no boundaries, and that the next volleyball superstar could just as easily come from the heart of the Visayas as from the spotlight of the Big City.
Kicking off on July 5, the month-long event is set to be a turning point in Philippine volleyball, not only celebrating school spirit and athletic excellence but also rewriting the narrative for provincial collegiate players hungry for recognition, development and the chance to go pro.
“This is more than a competition,” said Grace Antigua, a former national team standout and current head coach of both the men’s and women’s teams of the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors. “This is a dream platform for our players – a place where they can finally be seen and, hopefully, be called up to greater opportunities.”
The USC Warriors are among the pioneering schools participating in the Visayas V-L's opening salvo. For her and many others in the grassroots sports community, the league signals a powerful message: that the path to the Premier Volleyball League and even the Alas Pilipinas national team doesn't have to start in Metro Manila – it can begin right in the Visayas.
The league, a regional offshoot of the highly successful PVL, brings the same structure, competition level, and visibility that has elevated women’s volleyball to new heights in recent years. It also marks a full-circle moment for Sports Vision, the organizing body that revived collegiate volleyball in 2004 with the original V-League before evolving it into the PVL powerhouse it is today.
“This is grassroots. Once younger athletes see that we have our own Visayas V-League, they will be inspired to be part of the bigger volleyball scene in the country,” said Antigua. “It will spark belief in the players, and that’s the first step to greatness.”
Assistant coach Harvey Bernil underscored the deeper significance of the Visayas V-L.
“They no longer have to settle for watching games on television or wondering what might’ve been. Now, they can be the players others look up to – the ones being cheered, celebrated and scouted,” said Bernil.
The reality for many provincial athletes has long been marked by limited access to high-level competition and post-collegiate playing careers.
“I’d love to continue playing, but you have to be realistic,” admitted one USC Warrior. “Opportunities don’t come often.”
But the Visayas V-L could be the game changer. It offers a rare, credible pathway from student-athlete to professional player – something many had only dared to dream about.
“This will be their stepping stone,” added Bernil. “It’s time to start aiming higher.”
For the schools involved, it’s not just about winning. It’s about creating a sustainable pipeline of development that elevates volleyball as a legitimate career option, not just a college scholarship route. The hope is that this visibility will push school administrators, local governments and even private backers to invest more in their athletic programs and training infrastructure.
“This is really my dream,” said Antigua. “For my players to dream – not just to play in college, but to reach the national team, to go professional. I want them to feel that their future is possible.”
Indeed, the V-League Visayas is fast becoming a symbol of hope, pride and ambition for the region’s volleyball community. It’s where the love for the game meets the drive to succeed. And for the young athletes of the Visayas, it could be the beginning of everything.
