Peter Jandrei Melan

The V-League is making its Visayan debut with six collegiate teams set to compete in the inaugural V-League Visayas tournament, marking an expansion for the country’s pioneering amateur volleyball league.


Established in 2004, the V-League has long served as a platform for up-and-coming volleyball talent. 

Its expansion into the Visayas underscores a commitment to developing regional competition and nurturing athletes outside of Metro Manila.

Among the participating schools are Cebu’s top collegiate programs, including reigning CESAFI champions University of San Carlos (USC) Lady Warriors and last season’s runners-up, the University of Southern Philippines Foundation Inc. (USPF) Lady Panthers. 

Also joining the tournament are the University of Cebu (UC), University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), University of the Philippines-Cebu (UP-Cebu), and Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U).

For Sports Vision Management Group Inc. president Richard Palou, the move to the Visayas has been long overdue.

“Many of the country’s top volleyball stars have come from Cebu, and it’s about time we help grow the game even further in the Visayas. With V-League Visayas, we are providing another platform to support the CESAFI tournaments and give players more opportunities to shine,” said Palou, as quoted in One Sports.

More than just a regional tournament, the Visayas leg is seen as a recognition of the area's vital role in national volleyball development.

“The Visayas has been a powerhouse in the volleyball national program. The dedication and hard work of our coaches and players in this region have been our foundation. It’s about time that we give them the platform to showcase the best talents,” said V-League Visayas commissioner Ken Ucang, also in an interview with One Sports.

As the league brings its banner of “One V-League” to the Visayas, Cebu’s volleyball scene is poised for a new era of heightened competition and greater exposure.