The Philippine Superliga has laid out its program for the 2021 calendar pending the approval of the Inter-Agency Task Force.
PSL chairman Philip Juico said they are looking at a busy season following a year of inactivity due to the pandemic.
The league seeks to hold the All-Filipino Conference on March 13, the Collegiate Grand Slam on July 10-Aug. 14, and the Grand Prix late this year.
Juico said they would reach out to the government, particularly to the IATF for approval to resume the season, where they would implement the popular “tournament bubble” concept.
“We are already scouting for possible venues in the NCR and various parts of Luzon,” Juico said.
“Aside from serious competition, the health and safety of our players, coaches, officials, league personnel and other stakeholders are our main priorities. We would coordinate with the IATF and the LGUs (local government units) to discuss how we can restart our 2021 season,” he added.
Apart from its usual three-conference tournaments, PSL players are also scheduled to compete in the AVC Women’s Club Championship on April 11-18 in Chinese Taipei, the 21st AVC Asian Senior Women’s Championship on Aug. 29-Sept. 6 in either China or Thailand, as well as the 31st Southeast Asian Games on Nov. 21-Dec. 2 in Vietnam.
“While we are looking to come up with a high level of club competition, we also know that sending a solid team to the international arena is our responsibility being an active member of the national federation – the Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. That’s why for next year, we want to have a balanced mix of club, international and collegiate competitions,” Juico said.
PSL organizers will jumpstart its PSL Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup in Subic Bay on Feb. 25-27, which was already approved by the IATF but called off on its initial Nov. 28-30 schedule due to tropical storms that ravaged Central Luzon.
Meanwhile, Petron, Generika-Ayala and Marinerang Pilipina have taken a leave of absence due to the pandemic, leaving F2 Logistics, Cignal, Chery Tiggo, Sta Lucia and PLDT Home Fibr in the fold.
However, two teams have reportedly expressed their intention to join.