Some of the competitors in the upcoming Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference. Handout/PVL Media
MANILA -- Ten teams -- including two guest squads -- will battle for supremacy when the Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference opens on October 27 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Leading the cast is defending champion Cignal HD, joined by contenders Criss Cross, Savouge, PGJC-Navy, VNS and Alpha Insurance.
Two guest teams -- Kindai University of Japan and ProVolley Academy of Australia -- will join the fray in the semifinals.
Reigning V-League Collegiate Champion Far Eastern University-DN Steel and University of Santo Tomas-Gameville will also be in action.
UST replaced silver medalist De La Salle, which withdrew due to academic commitments.
"Ito na naman start again and I hope it will be happier, this time lalo na nagkaroon ng resurgence of interest sa men's volleyball," said Spikers' Turf tournament director Mozzy Ravena during Monday's press conference at the Discovery Suites in Ortigas.
"From what it was before to what it is now, napakalayo na kaya very excited kami at very thankful na kahit papaano growing na tayo, ang dami ng interesado, pinapanood na tayo. My heart is full but may space pa, marami pang space, p'wede pang mag grow," she added.
The league is hoping to build on the renewed interest in the sport after Alas Pilipinas' inspirational run in the recently-concluded World Championships at home.
According to Spikers' Turf president Alyssa Valdez, eight local teams will compete in a single round-robin. The top four will move on to the semifinals, where they will be joined by the two guest teams.
Another round-robin phase will determine the top two teams, who will then clash in a one-game championship match.
The third- and fourth-ranked teams from the semifinals will battle for the bronze medal.