Spikers’ Turf goes all-In for national pride, supports Alas Pilipinas ahead of SEA Games

Fresh off the men’s national volleyball team’s inspiring World Championship campaign, the Spikers’ Turf is stepping up in a big way to ensure Alas Pilipinas continues its upward momentum heading into the 33rd Southeast Asian Games this December.

The country’s top men’s volleyball league announced during its Invitational Conference press conference at Discovery Suites on Monday that it will provide maximum flexibility for clubs with national team players, reaffirming its commitment to the sport’s long-term growth.

“For one, siguro to be clear, we’re really in all-out support sa national team natin dito sa Spikers’ Turf. That’s why we’re allowing them to practice or to go to camps or kung ano man yung plano ng national team,” said tournament director Mozzy Ravena, underscoring the league’s cooperative approach.

With the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference tipping off Monday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre, clubs like Cignal, Criss Cross, PGJC-Navy, and UST–Gameville face the challenge of managing rosters while lending their best players to national duty.

Several standouts — including Marck Espejo, Louie Ramirez, Owa Retamar, Lloyd Josafat, and Vince Lorenzo — are expected to suit up for Alas Pilipinas once SEA Games preparations ramp up.

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Spikers’ Turf Tournament Director Mozzy Ravena said she’s grateful for the support that the league has been gaining amid the resurgence of men’s volleyball in the Philippines, adding that there’s still more room to grow.

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Understanding that national representation is the bigger picture, Ravena announced that teams will be allowed to bring in replacement players equal to the number of athletes pulled out for national service.

“Yung mga teams na may national team players, they are allowed to get more players in substitute dun sa mga maglalaro sa national team. But it’s also in their discretion kung papalaruin nila yung national team players nila, kung hanggang kailan,” Ravena explained.

“Kasi hindi rin naman natin alam baka pwede pa naman maglaro. So bahala na sila dun. Basta kami, all-out kami na sige lang, go lang… Pwede nilang palitan ng same number of players. So yan yung support namin.”

Despite potentially missing marquee names, Spikers’ Turf remains steadfast in pushing the men’s volleyball scene forward. The Invitational Conference will continue as scheduled — and even expand its scope — with the addition of guest teams from Japan’s Kindai University and Australia’s ProVolley Academy, both joining the semifinal phase to spice up the competition.

“Kasi yun nga, sabi ko nga. Siyempre ang support ng Spikers’ Turf is not only sa pahiram. Siyempre if you look at the bigger picture, we really want to develop all the players para eventually, mas marami silang pagpipilian sa national team pool or sa lineup,” Ravena added.

She emphasized the broader vision: a league that serves as a steady pipeline for the national team. “In the future what we want is that siguro kada team may isa, dalawa. Para ma-spread out naman. Yun talaga yung goal — na lahat magkaroon ng national team player. Pero yun nga, for now, yun yung pinaka-solution na naisip namin. To let them go and practice for the SEA Games. Para malakas tayo sa SEA Games.”

By giving its blessing to both club and country, the Spikers’ Turf not only strengthens team Philippines’ SEA Games bid — it also reinforces its role as the backbone of men’s volleyball development in the nation.

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