On PVL’s put-of-town Matches: Player accessibility, grassroots development, sports tourism

MANILA, Philippines — The Hotel Van Gogh — named after the famous Dutch post-Impressionist painter — is less than a two-minute walk away from the Candon City Arena.

In fact, when the four PVL teams — Creamline Cool Smashers, Akari Chargers, PetroGazz Angels and Farmfresh Foxies — walked from the hotel to the game venue prior to their respective matches, it was rather uneventful. 

Following the games, it was the complete opposite. All 4,000 paying customers — including the hundreds who could not get in — had jammed the road in search for a selfie, an autograph, or even a glimpse of their volleyball heroines. 

“Security had a tough time getting the players inside,” recounted PVL President Richard Palou. “And it took some time for everyone to get inside the hotel.”

The incident, on the other hand, painted a huge picture on why volleyball has ascended as the second most popular sport in the country.

Since its founding, the PVL has taken cues from its earlier incarnation as the V-League to regularly bring its games to the provinces.

“We go for a minimum of three out-of-town matches every season,” bared Palou. “If we could have a lot more, then we would. However, we have to consider logistics and the venues in bringing the PVL to the fans all over the country. And of course, we have to make sure that this is sustainable for local promoters.”

Candon, located in Ilocos Sur, is the latest of the PVL on Tour that has taken the volleybelles from Metro Manila to Batangas, Rizal, Laguna, and Cagayan de Oro. The Candon City Arena has become a recent fixture in the league’s calendar due to its incredible facilities that are better than even some venues in the National Capital Region. 

“Hosting the PVL games for a second time is an honor for our city,” gushed Candon Vice Mayor Kit Singson. “It showcases our love for sports but also our commitment to youth development.”

“With the 7,281-strong people in attendance, I can honestly say that volleyball is more than a sport — it brings communities together.”

Candon native Johnmark Colisteng agreed with the PVL games coming to their city as a stimulant for grassroots sports growth: “Aside from these games making the sport and its