The Philippines is set to become a meeting point for rising volleyball talents from different countries as the 2026 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals expands its reach beyond local competition, bringing in international teams to challenge the country’s young players.
ACES president Dr. Ian Laurel revealed during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex that four foreign teams are expected to participate in this year’s preseason tournament, marking a significant step in SSL’s push to create a stronger global exposure for Filipino volleyball.
The international lineup will feature representatives from the United States, Guam, Australia, and Vietnam, allowing local players to measure their development against athletes trained in different volleyball systems.
“This year is very different, it’s very special. It is something that we aligned with the push of the good chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, chair Pato Gregorio, regarding sports tourism. This time, we have foreign teams coming to compete with our local teams,” said Laurel.
The juniors’ division will welcome California-based Perfect Set Dream Makers and Guam’s Pacific Volleyball Academy, two visiting squads that will go up against local programs University of Santo Tomas, Pusong Azul, St. John’s University, Arellano University, and One La Salle.
One La Salle will feature varsity players from De La Salle Zobel, Green Hills, and Dasmarinas, adding another layer of competition among some of the country’s promising young volleyball talents.
The junior tournament is scheduled from July 11 to 18 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.
Meet the 7 junior teams and 6 collegiate teams that will battle for glory in the 2026 Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals from July 11–26, 2026. #ShakeysNationalInvitationals#SSL#EliteTalent#GlobalStagePH#VolleyballPH pic.twitter.com/aINbBJvklL
— Shakey’s Super League (@ShakeysLeague) July 6, 2026
Meanwhile, the collegiate division will bring a more international flavor to the competition with Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City Volleyball Club and Australia’s Southern Storm Melbourne joining local teams Enderun Colleges, UST, Letran College, and College of Saint Benilde.
The collegiate matches are set from July 19 to 26 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
Beyond the competition itself, Laurel sees the foreign participation as an opportunity to create pathways for athletes who dream of playing at a higher level.
Visiting players are also expected to use the tournament as a platform to showcase their skills in hopes of securing recruitment opportunities and athletic scholarships from Philippine universities.
“Another motivation for these teams is that they know how popular volleyball is here,” Laurel said.
The growing popularity of volleyball in the country has made the Philippines an attractive destination for international players looking for competitive opportunities and exposure.
Aside from the matches, SSL organizers are incorporating tourism activities into the program to give visiting teams and their families a chance to experience the country outside the volleyball court.
“This is where the sports tourism aspect becomes more meaningful,” said Laurel.
Helping highlight the country’s attractions will be ACES executive Allen Reyes, who has been tasked with organizing tours for the visiting players and their families around various tourist destinations in Metro Manila.
Arellano University coach Obet Javier, Ateneo de Manila University coach Watta Macalanggan, and ACES executives Ginio Panganiban and Allen Reyes also made an appearance at the PSA Forum.
With international squads joining the field, the 2026 Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals will serve not only as a test of Filipino volleyball talent but also as a stage where competition, recruitment opportunities, and sports tourism come together.
Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!
Follow our Facebook page Sports PH News today and join the community of passionate sports fans.
Leave a Reply