There’s no doubt that basketball remains the top sport in the Philippines in terms of popularity. The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is still the undisputed king of sports in the country.
On the collegiate front, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) are still the most hyped and much talked-about leagues among the young basketball fans.
But lately, sports fans have been cheering on and obsessing over another sport: volleyball. Particularly the distaff side of the sport.
The Philippine Superliga, a women’s commercial volleyball league, grew from humble beginnings to become a huge sports attraction.
Today, corporate sponsors are lining up to become part of the league. Local governments are showing interest to host some of the games. Volleyball players who have graduated from their collegiate teams are now securing slots in member teams. Every game is filled with cheering and adoring fans, and games have gained prominence, thanks to exposure on national TV.
Yes, you could say volleyball has come into its own.
But while the league has spawned interest among young girls to take up volleyball, hoping to make it to collegiate level and eventually end up, playing in the PSL, it’s still a work in progress.
Filipino volleyball enthusiasts still have a ways to go to level up to other volleyball-crazy countries.
As for the competitiveness of Filipina players against foreign counterparts, we’re still climbing the ladder. The Philippines still lags behind Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia in Southeast Asia.
Short-lived popularity
In recent years, badminton and football have enjoyed short-lived popularity among Filipinos.
Badminton became a national past time at least for a couple of years as playing courts sprouted here and there. Most of these were in warehouses converted into badminton hubs.
Office workers also got so hooked on the game that after-office hours were usually spent at the badminton courts, instead of at the usual watering hole or karaoke bar. The courts were filled with players even during weekends. Tournaments among employees had become a vital program for human resources departments.
Then all of a sudden, fondness for the game died down. Just like that.
Maybe it’s because the sport doesn’t really have any superstars that fans could stan over. There was no one to look up to.
The problem with badminton is that the best players in the world are in the Asian region and Filipinos will find it hard to gain notice, let alone prove themselves. China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore to name a few, dominate the badminton scene.
Hot and cold
Football, on the other hand, is a sport that blows hot and cold among Filipino fans.
In 2010, football suddenly burst into the consciousness of Filipino sports fans when a Philippine team, collectively called the Azkals, beat the heavyweights in the region, including Vietnam, to reach the AFF Suzuki Cup semifinals.
It all started the resurgence of football in the country. For a while, it looked like football was poised to hog the limelight with basketball.
Composed mostly of good-looking Fil-foreign players, the Azkals made their best ever finish in the AFC Challenge Cup in 2014 with a finals stint, losing to eventual champion Palestine.
But the sport has turned silent recently as a result of the Azkals’ mediocre finishes. Again, a lot of work to do to regain its footing.
Making a connection
One sport that is attracting a lot of attention is Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).
The Filipinos’ warrior spirit has made a connection with the sport. Thanks to the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the local Ultimate Reality Combat Championship and the Asia-based ONE Championship in Asia for bringing the sport to the mainstream.
Martial arts fighters now have professional careers to look forward to. Fans who love combat sport are slowly shifting from boxing to MMA.Enthusiasts take the sport for health and practical purposes and women are taking it for self-defense.
It seems like the sport has yet to reach its potential and will have a big place in the hearts of the Filipino sports fans.