Volleyball for all seasons

From the time that I was appointed by Mayor Jonas Cortes as Executive Director of the Mandaue City Sports Commission, I have fallen in love with volleyball.

Here was a group of homegrown talent, nurtured by the pure love of sports, who have become excellent volleyball players without the intervention of any sports association or government.

Actually, the game first caught my eye during my high school days, when volleyball was exclusively played by student nurses, nine on each side, 15 points per set and the usual pearl white gams of the Florence Nightingale’s wannabes.

Due to the 9-player format, practically there was no vacant space in the court to maneuver around.

Coupled with the side-out rule, where only the server’s side can score a point, volleyball was as exciting as a cricket game, from the eyes of a Filipino sports fan. (Actually, cricket becomes more exciting when one begins to understand the rules)

Even when the format was changed to six players, still volleyball hardly caught the fancy of good athletes. To be truthful about it, no other sport could pierce the wall that basketball has erected, to the exclusion of all others.

Take the local collegiate league for instance. The season opens with a bang with basketball. Once the basketball totem pole is claimed, the etceteras can now take over, and even the sports page suffer a drought in local sports news.

Things may be changing for volleyball.

In Metro Manila, the UAAP championships are packing it in, just like a basketball final game.

In Cebu, during the final’s week of the Governor’s Unity Cup, the CICC could hardly accommodate the volleyball faithful from all over the province. These are very good signs.

First, soccer, thanks to the Azkhals.

Now volleyball, thanks to the Filipino lovers of the game who just plodded on for the sake of the game. For some time now, a group, which includes some of my nephews, have been playing softball, one game where Filipinos have been world-class.

Chess has become faster and more exciting with the innovations that have been done with respect to the timing of a match. Those who love sports would like to witness great tournaments happening in different disciplines.

Aside from viewing pleasure, it should also open up different opportunities to athletes who can excel in sports other than basketball.