San juan: The Spikers’ Turf has pledged support for Alas Pilipinas ahead of the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG). The country’s premier and only men’s volleyball league will allow national team members to focus on training, camps, and preparations for the SEA Games in Thailand this December.

According to Philippines News Agency, the national players will be missing club matches during the upcoming Invitational Conference. Affected teams are permitted to bring in substitute players equivalent to the number of athletes they would lose to Alas Pilipinas. Among the teams with national players are Cignal HD Spikers, Criss Cross King Crunchers, UST-Gameville, and PGJC-Navy Sealions.

These athletes were part of the historic Alas Pilipinas lineup that recently competed in the World Championships, making it to the post-elimination round. Tournament director Mozzy Ravena emphasized that the league is fully supporting the national team, allowing players to prioritize their national duties.

The Spikers’ Turf will proceed with the Invitational Conference at the Filoil EcoOil Center on Oct. 27. The tournament will feature 10 teams, including international participants from Japan and Australia. These foreign teams will join the top local squads in the round-robin semifinals after the elimination round.

Spikers’ Turf aims to be a crucial training ground for future national volleyball stars. Ravena stated that the league’s broader goal is to develop players for the national team pool, ensuring a steady pipeline of talent for the country’s volleyball scene.

The league is committed to maintaining competitive play and providing opportunities for emerging talents. The ultimate vision is for each club to have national team players, which would enhance the sport’s growth and success in international competitions like the SEA Games.