Provincial teams ready to make waves in Champions League

PROVINCIAL teams Basilan Steel Spikers Amin-Anak Mindanao, MRT-Negros and Team Dasma hope to make a splash when the men’s competition of the PNVF Champions League kicks off on Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, at the Aquamarine Recreational Center.

Steel Spikers team manager Dr. Arnel Hajan said that the Basilan-based club, which is composed of a selection of players from Mindanao, will be giving their best in their initial foray into the federation-owned national league.

“This might be our first tournament as a volleyball club, but our players are experienced so expect tough and exciting games from us. We will give our best in each game,” said Hajan, who is also the PNVF vice president.

“As for our goal in PNVF Champions League, of course, our first target is to make it to the Final Four, then we will take it one game at a time and, who knows, we might be able to reach the top,” he added.

The Basilan Steel Spikers are bracketed in Pool A along with Go For Gold-Air Force and VNS. After drawing an opening day bye, the Steel Spikers will make their debut on Tuesday against the Aguilas, who are composed of mostly national team standouts.

MRT-Negros and Team Dasma, which are in Pool B along with Global Remit, Sabong International Spikers, are also hoping to prove that provincial teams can go toe-to-toe with established clubs in this competition.

“I expect the team to give their best. This team will showcase the individual skills of Negrenses and we will be all out to show that Negros Occidental is a powerhouse of volleyball athletes who will represent Philippine volleyball in the future,” said MRT-Negros team manager Andre Ea.

MRT-Negros, which started its build-up for the competition last August with a series of tryouts in Negros Occidental and Panay Island, will open its campaign against Sabong International Spikers on Monday.

Representing Dasmariñas City in Cavite, the Monarchs have a purpose in their Champions League participation.