Creamline Cool Smashers star Alyssa Valdez agrees with the observation that volleyball has overtaken basketball as the most popular sport in the Philippines.
Creamline Cool Smashers star Alyssa Valdez agrees with the observation that volleyball has overtaken basketball as the most popular sport in the Philippines.
Valdez made this remark after personally witnessing the sell-out crowd during the 2024 FIVB Men’s Volleyball Nations League match between the USA and Japan on Sunday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“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.”
“Napakasayang makita na punong-puno ‘yung arena. It’s so nice to see (the crowd cheering for) both the USA and Japan. Napakagandang scenario rito sa venue,” she added.
Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara previously made the same remark, saying that volleyball is a family entertainment sport for all ages, unlike basketball.
“Number one ang volleyball ngayon na spectator sport sa Pilipinas, hindi na basketball,” Suzara said last month. “Volleyball is for families, boyfriends and girlfriends, fathers and mothers. It’s a sport that’s really pang-family.”
“If you will see the difference, in my experience, in basketball, the FIBA World Cup was more about the players’ experience, but for volleyball, it’s the fan experience,” he added.
The debate over volleyball emerging as the Filipinos’ No. 1 past time 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 had a hard time filling the game venues even on game days that featured crowd-favorite Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings.
