ZUS Coffee carved out a gritty 24-26, 25-23, 17-25, 26-24, 15-7 victory over Akari in the kickoff of the PVL Reinforced Conference at the Ynares Center in Montalban, Rizal beset by a league issue with the Philippine National Volleyball Federation.
The PVL-PNVF clash resulted to the Reinforced Conference opening minus the supposed imports.
In what became an all-Filipino duel, the Thunderbelles emerged triumphant versus the Chargers in a five-setter with Riza Nogales leading the way for the winning team with 15 points.
Also coming through were Jovelyn Gonzaga and Chinnie Arroyo, who each fired 14 hits while Fiona Ceballos, Kate Santiago and Alexis Miner contributed 13, 11 and 10 points, respectively.
In the deciding set, it was the Thunderbelles who surged with poise and precision, orchestrating a decisive 7-0 closing run to turn a shaky 8-7 edge into a runaway win.
‘Sobrang hirap mag-adjust. Parang lahat kami nangangapa kasi biglaan ‘yung balita na hindi pa pala pwedeng maglaro ang imports,’ said ZUS Coffee libero Alyssa Eroa.
No go for imports
The beautiful peace that Philippine volleyball has enjoyed the past few years has been broken.
It was breached yesterday after its two biggest stakeholders – the pro league and the national federation – clashed due to the latter’s refusal to endorse the International Transfer Certificates of the foreign players eyeing to play in the PVL Reinforced Conference.
Without PNVF’s nod, international players couldn’t get the needed approval from the FIVB, the sport’s world governing body, and would not be able to play in the import-laced conference.
‘The PVL regrets to inform the public that the foreign guest players will not be permitted to participate in the ongoing season-ending conference until their ITCs are duly approved,’ said PVL organizer Sports Vision in a statement yesterday.
The PVL lambasted the PNVF and called the latter’s behavior as ‘unprofessional’ and ‘obstructionist.’
The league claimed it was never remiss in the timely submission of all documentation – including signed clearances and final endorsements – but the PNVF, for curious reasons, just decided to withhold its final nod.
This delay not only disrupts the tournament’s competitive integrity but also jeopardizes the careers and contracts of professional players who traveled to the Philippines in good faith.
The PVL stressed that it remains committed to following international volleyball protocols and upholding the integrity of the sport.