PSL named finalist for 'Best Women Sports Event' by 'Oscars' of Asian sports

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Superliga rolled out its staging of the All-Filipino Conference (AFC) and Collegiate Grand Slam (CGS) with great news.

SPIA Asia, an international award-giving body that recognizes excellence and celebrates milestones in the sports industry, named the league as one of the 10 finalists in the Best Women Sports Event Category.

Past winners of the award range from the Australian Open of Australia, HSBC Women’s Champions of Singapore, the Red Bull Air Race World Championships of United Arab Emirates and the Standard Chartered KL Marathon of Malaysia.

The glittery Awards Gala Night and Convention will be held on November 19 and 20 at the Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre in Bangkok with over 400 guests and VIPs from the world of sports expected to be in attendance.

Juico said being one of the finalists is already a major honor.

“SPIA Asia recognizes those organizations that influence and make a big difference in all aspects of the sporting life in Asia,” said Juico during the press launch Thursday at the Club Filipino in San Juan.

“It is the Oscar Award of Sports in Asia.”

He said the league appreciates the gesture of SPIA Asia organizers — MMC Sportz.

“In honoring our women’s volleyball league, you have validated our years of honest hard work and sincere advocacy. This honor strengthens our resolve to face the many challenges before us.”

“The fact that the PSL is the only organization from the Philippines who was named as one of the finalists in this category brings not only added joy, but greater responsibility.”

The All-Filipino Conference will kick off on Oct. 30 at the Filoil Flying V Centre with three explosive matches featuring Smart against Sta. Lucia Realty; Petron against Cocolife and F2 Logistics against Cignal.

Also seeing action are powerhouse clubs Generika-Ayala and Foton.

But the AFC as well as the CGS, which will feature University of the Philippines, University of the East, Far Eastern University, University of Santo Tomas, De La Salle University-Dasmarinas and Colegio San Agustin, will go full blast on November 3 at the Ynares Sports Center.

Petron assistant coach Ian Fernandez declared that the road to their title-defense would be a bumpy ride, especially with Smart coming in with a souped-up roster featuring national team members Gretchel Soltones and Jasmine Nabor as well as the core of its squad from the rival league.

“It’s going to be a wide-open race since everybody is doing its best in terms of preparation,” said Fernandez, who represented head coach Shaq Delos Santos in the general technical meeting and press conference.

“But I think Smart, the team of coach Roger (Gorayeb), has the edge.”