Players and team officials are looking forward to another chapter of their careers in the Premier Volleyball League, which finally turned professional after 16 years.

Creamline Cool Smashers spiker Alyssa Valdez welcomed this development as “ a milestone not only for the league, but also for Philippine volleyball.”

“I believe it’s about time to go pro and I hope this will help the players and the league in the long run,” Valdez said in Friday’s virtual press conference.

Choco Mucho Flying Titans middle hitter Bea De Leon also embraced the change as it adds motivation to the players to bring the sport into a higher level.

She also believes it adds prestige to the league.

“As a player, we’re just very blessed to have that sense of security with the career we want, especially the privilege of what we really love to do and what we’re passionate about,” she said.

“We honestly can’t wait to be in this status.”

BanKo Perlas team manager Charo Soriano also shared the same sentiment, as it opened a wider door for players who seek to make this a primary career.

“Right now, we can already provide the opportunity for the players to choose volleyball as their career and that for me is something else. This is a new beginning for all of us and we trust that this is a step towards the betterment of the sport,” Soriano said.

The league plans to hold the Open Conference in either February or March, pending the approval of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).

At the moment, only pro leagues in basketball, 3x3, boxing and football have been allowed to host tournaments during quarantine.

With its decision to turn pro, the PVL hopes to be next.