Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association
The Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA) is a women's semi-professional volleyball league in the Philippines.
Current season, competition or edition: 2023 MPVA season | |
 | |
| Sport | Volleyball |
|---|---|
| Founded | September 15, 2023 |
| Founder | Manny Pacquiao |
| Inaugural season | 2023 |
| Commissioner | Michael Tavera |
| Motto | Ang Liga Para Sa Lahat (The League for All) |
| No. of teams | 8 |
| Country | Philippines |
| TV partner(s) | Media Pilipinas TV Plus Network |
The MPVA was founded in 2023 by eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao, who also founded the similarly-named Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) in 2017. Similar to its basketball counterpart, it is meant to be a grassroots league with a focus on showcasing local, homegrown talents.[1][2]
History
Background and launch
On August 29, 2017, Manny Pacquiao founded the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, a semi-professional basketball league that uses a home-and-away system with a focus on showcasing local talents.[3][4] By 2023, the league was promoted to a professional league and has run for five seasons.[5] On June 15, 2023, in a press conference unveiling the Junior MPBL, Pacquiao shared his intent to create a home-and-away volleyball league similar to the MPBL that will cater to women athletes.[6]
On September 15, 2023, Pacquiao formally launched the MPVA in a press conference with commissioner Michael Tavera. Announced in the press conference was a list of ten teams that were set to compete in the inaugural season, with all but one of them having a set locality. The league's future plans include a men's division in 2024 as well as its own junior's division.[1][7] One month later, in another press conference, the lineup was decreased to eight teams, with three teams deferring and one team joining.[8]
First season
The MPVA's inaugural season will begin on October 22, 2023 at Ynares Center in Antipolo, Rizal with the opening ceremonies followed by a doubleheader of matches.[8]
Teams
Current teams
Metro Manila (NCR) and Cavite MPVA Teams |
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| Team | Location | Sponsors | Arena | Capacity | Founded | Joined | Head coach | Team captain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bacoor City Strikers | Bacoor, Cavite | Metro Land Builders Corporation | Strike Gymnasium | 1,500 | 2022[lower-alpha 1] | 2023 | LT Zapanta | Razel Paula Aldea |
| Biñan Tatak Gel | Biñan, Laguna | TBA | TBA | 2023 | Edwin Sosa | May Jennifer Macatuno | ||
| Caloocan AM Spikers | Caloocan | TBA | TBA | 2023 | Jaime Grino | Sarah Verutiao | ||
| Marikina Lady Shoemasters | Marikina | TBA | TBA | 2023 | Andy Fiel | Shannen Palec | ||
| Nasipit Lady Spikers | Nasipit, Agusan del Norte | TBA | TBA | 2023 | Benjamin Mape | Maricar Baloaloa | ||
| Negros–ICC Blue Hawks | Negros Oriental | TBA | TBA | 2023 | Edgar Barroga | Charlotte Tutanes | ||
| Rizal Golden Coolers | Antipolo, Rizal | PTC Foodsphere Asia Corp. AMRC Holdings Company, Inc. |
Ynares Center | 7,400 | 2023 | Cromwell Garcia | Venice Puzon | |
| San Juan Lady Knights | San Juan | Powerball Marketing & Logistics Corporation Philippine Navy |
TBA | 2023 | PO2 Lea Arriola P.N. | Janet Serafica | ||
Future teams
| Team | Location | Founded | Joining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulacan MPVA Team | Bulacan | 2023 | 2024[lower-alpha 2] |
| Manila Tornadoes | Manila | 2023 | 2024[lower-alpha 2] |
| Quezon City MPVA Team | Quezon City | 2023 | 2024[lower-alpha 2] |
| Bataan MPVA Team | Bataan | 2023 | TBA |
| Batangas City MPVA Team | Batangas City, Batangas | 2023 | TBA |
| Imus MPVA Team | Imus, Cavite | 2023 | TBA |
| Makati MPVA Team | Makati | 2023 | TBA |
| Muntinlupa MPVA Team | Muntinlupa | 2023 | TBA |
| Nueva Ecija MPVA Team | Nueva Ecija | 2023 | TBA |
| Quezon MPVA Team | Quezon | 2023 | TBA |
| Pampanga MPVA Team | Pampanga | 2023 | TBA |
| Parañaque MPVA Team | Parañaque | 2023 | TBA |
| Pasay MPVA Team | Pasay | 2023 | TBA |
Roster regulations
The league has a set of roster regulations, putting restrictions on which and how many players and which players each team can place onto its roster. As of 2023, the roster regulations are as follows:[1][9]
- All players must at least eighteen (18) years old or above to be able to join a team.
- Each team must have at least three homegrown players – local players who are native to their team's home locality.
- Each team is limited to three ex-professional players – players with prior participation in professional leagues such as the Premier Volleyball League.
Format
Elimination round
The elimination round is divided into two stages. The first stage utilizes the traditional round-robin format, where teams play one game against all other teams in the league. After the round-robin stage, the teams are divided into groups that then proceed to play in the group stage, where teams play another game against all teams that are in the same group.[9][10]
Playoffs
After the elimination round, the top eight teams advance to a three-round, single-elimination playoff bracket. In the first round, the Quarterfinals, the top four teams are given a twice-to-beat advantage over their opponents. The next two rounds, the Semifinals and Finals, are both best-of-three series.[10]
Media
For the inaugural season, all games are aired on Media Pilipinas TV (MPTV) on television. The games are also streamed on Plus Network, which also broadcasts the Shakey's Super League, as well as on the MPVA's official Facebook page.
Notes
- Originally founded as part of Cavite Ballers.
- Bulacan, Manila, and Quezon City deferred from participating in the 2023 season due to time constraints. The league did state that those teams are "sure" to join the following season.[8]
References
- Villanueva, Ralph Edwin. "Pacquiao-founded volleyball league to showcase homegrown talent". Philstar.com. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
- Jr, Rommel Fuertes (October 19, 2023). "MPVA prioritizes volleyball grassroots but also welcomes ex-pro players". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
- Del Rosario, Paolo (August 29, 2017). "Senator Manny Pacquiao launches new basketball league". CNN Philippines (in English and Filipino). Retrieved January 23, 2018.
- Henson, Joaquin (September 3, 2017). "MPBL won't compete with PBA". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
- "Chooks-to-Go MPBL officially turns pro". Tiebreaker Times. December 9, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
- "Pacquiao sets up Junior MPBL". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
- Escarlote, Mark (August 12, 2023). "Pacquiao launching volleyball tournament". Daily Tribune Sports. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
- Villanueva, Ralph Edwin. "Brand new home-and-away volleyball league MPVA ready for takeoff". Philstar.com. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- III, Angel B. Dukha (September 16, 2023). "Manny Pacquiao gives volleyball MPBL-like reach". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
- Jr, Rommel Fuertes (October 19, 2023). "MPVA opens with double-header in Antipolo". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved October 19, 2023.