The First Game of the PSL Grand Prix 2018

February 17 marks the very first game of the PSL Grand Prix 2018. Im not a die hard fan of volleyball but I do enjoy a good game. I played a couple of few sports games back in high school and volleyball happen to be one of them. I also watched a few games when I have time on TV every now and then. So when I get my hands on some tickets to watch the first game live at the Ynares Center in Pasig I was super excited.

PSL (Philippine Super Liga) Grand Prix Conference is the first conference and indoor tournament for the Philippine Super Liga's sixth season. It started way back in 2013 with women making up the rosters on its initial game. Men  volleyball league was added the year after

This year the game started on February 17, 2018 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City and the formal opening ceremony will be on February 28, 2018 at the Sta. Rosa. Multipurpose Complex in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. It was moved from October to February, in order to comply with the new competition calendar approved by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and the Asian Volleyball Confederation.

Our group arrived at Ynares around half an hour before the first game started and got a bit lost in finding the entrance since its the first time for all of us being there. Sure Id probably passed by Ynares Arena a few times via taxi or jeepney a few times but Ive never really gone inside so we got a little side tracked.

Theres a bunch of snack shops outside the entrance of the Center so being hungry isnt really going to be a problem not to mention Ynares is near some really great resto and the Center is well air-conditioned which is great considering how hot the commute was on the way there. Thankfully no traffic on a Saturday.

Ynares Sports Arena isnt as big compared to other sport venues like the Arena but thats a plus in a way since the audience are closer to the action than in those big venues. Sadly that being said its also free seating so in a championship or do or die  game Im sure this place would be packed to the brim.

The players of both team was already doing their pre game warm ups as found ourselves some seats at the center near the right side of the court near the center dug out. A seat far enough that we wont have to worry about a being hit by the ball should by some accident it decides to fly our way.

The first game was between Generika Ayala and Foton. I am impressed how tall the players are specially the three imports from Foton side. I got player favorites on both teams so Im not taking sides on this one although I am more familiar with Fotons line up on this one.

I was worried cameras wont be allowed but I I guess it was ok since folks all around us have been taking photos with their mobile phones already.

Around halftime we noticed some of the Petron players who was scheduled for the Second Game checking out the match between Foton and Generika and we happen to be two yards away from where they are at so I whipped out my camera and politely asked if I can take a few photos.

The game between Fphoton and Generika is evenly match at the start with each team winning a set on the first and second set but eventually Photon managed to pull a win. Its a close match really with scores being deadlock often.

Before the game between Petron and Sta. Lucia starter  we spotted Rachel Anne Daquis among the crowd to our right so we hurried over and asked for picture. There was already a crowd over her when we got there but I just took a photo of her and her companion and we hurried back to our seats before the next game started.

I thought the game could not get any better but the second game was between Petron and Sta. Lucia definitely proved me wrong since these two teams played it out like they were playing for the championship.

I lost how many times the scored deadlocked or how many times the score was deadlocked and how long the exchanges are between the two teams. The crowd was definitely energized watching them and so were we. This match was a joy to watch as both teams clearly gave their all from the first point of the game onwards.  

In the end Petron proved to be the better team as mistakes were done by Sta Lucia and Petron finally got a team rhythm going in both their attacks and defense.

Overall the first game of the PSL Grand Prix was truly an great start to the 2018 Volleyball League. It reminded me of why I loved volleyball and why I got to play it back in high school. Its still exciting and enjoyable as I remembered it maybe more so now.