Several netizens expressed disagreement with Creamline Cool Smashers veteran Alyssa Valdez’s recent remark that the Philippines is now emerging as a volleyball nation.

Commenting on Fastbreak’s Facebook post regarding Valdez’s comment, netizens said that while the Premier Volleyball League has surpassed the Philippine Basketball Association in popularity, basketball remains the number one pastime of Filipinos.

“Madami lang may ayaw sa pba ngayon. pero kung may international basketball tournament na gaganapin dto, lalo na kung kasali ang gilas siguradong pipilahan ng mga basketball fans. Try nyo manood ng mpbl, malalaman nyo na basketball nation pa rin ang pilipinas.”

“Aga pa. Pero kung live audience, yes. Pero sabi ng iba. Manalo muna kayo sa mga big international events or pagharian nyo muna Sea Games. Marami reasons, eh? Kanya kanya opinyon yan.”

“Sa manila at live audience volleyball..pero sa province still #1 pdin ang basketball.”

“Di maipagkakaila na ticket price at unbalanced ang PBA ngayon. pero kung popularity? nah! Basketball pa din.”

“Overtaken PBA ng PVL pwede pa pero ang Pinoy basketball pa dn.”

“Maniniwala kami sa inyo kapag nagka pag Champion na kayo sa South East Asian Games! (repeat) South East Asian games na lang…ang gagaling nyu sa PVL pag dating ng international tournament mga bahag na mga buntot nyu, nilalamun na kayo ng buo at ina apak-apakan lang ng mga kalaban.”

“Puro lng kayo overhype at overrated..artistahin lng ginagawa nyo sa laro malayo..kya pati pala sa TV coverage unti unti inaalis sa isip ung basketball kayo gusto ipalit.”

“Sa LGBTQ oo..pero sa buong pinas? Basketball pa din.”

“Malabo, galit lng pnoy sa pba pero basketball pdin subukan mo intl games laro mas dumog manood ang basketball.”

“In your dreams…😂😂…phenom daw,,,nyaahahahh…hindi nga magawa na mag kampeon sa SEA Games kasama sya….husto lang sila bogbugin ng ibang teams sa Sea games…maryosep…sa mga bukid sa probinsya ay basketball pa rin nilalaro ng pinoys, sumikat lang dahil sa pvl na liga, yong ibang games nila ay wala ding viewers sa venue pag low tier teams ang naglalaro…hilo kayo…”

In an interview during the 2024 FIVB Men’s Volleyball Nations League, Valdez said she agrees with the observation that volleyball is emerging as the No. 1 sport in the Philippines.

“I’m gonna say it, but I think right now, we are a volleyball country or a volleyball nation,” Valdez said. “We’re just really hoping mag-continue ‘yung support ng community sa volleyball in general here in the Philippines.”

The debate over volleyball emerging as the Filipinos’ number one pastime surfaced following the sell-out crowds in the Premier Volleyball League, the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament, and Alas Pilipinas women’s matches.
In contrast, the Philippine Basketball Association has struggled to fill game venues, even on days featuring crowd-favorite Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings.