All imports and Filipino-foreign players are cleared to play in the PVL Reinforced Conference after the Philippine National Volleyball Federation signed the international Transfer Certificates on early Wednesday.
A day after the PVL called out the PNVF for refusing to endorse the ITCs, Control Committee chairman Sherwin Malonzo told the Inquirer that all documents were ‘100 percent active and signed’ as of 6:30 a.m.
Petro Gazz can now field Filipino-Americans Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips, as well as returning import Lindsey Vander Weide, in its campaign opener against Galeries, which will parade Montenegrin Jelena Cvijovic, on Thursday at Dasmariñas Arena.
Nxled’s Paola Martinez and Farm Fresh’s Helene Rousseaux are also cleared to suit up for the second game at 6:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, the PVL was forced to bench all foreign reinforcements despite the timely submission of complete requirements-including clearances from players, their federations, and clubs-after the PNVF withheld its endorsement.
ZUS Coffee, which played without Anna DeBeer, turned to a balanced attack led by Riza Nogales to pull off a come-from-behind 24-26, 25-23, 17-25, 26-24, 15-7 win over Akari sans Annie Mitchem.
In the second game, Marlee Smith of Choco Mucho and Oleksandra Bytsenko of Capital1 no longer joined the warm-up. Flying Titans Filipino-American rookie Tia Andaya also decided to sit out, not wanting to risk her transfer of federation and avoid getting sanctions from the FIVB.
Choco Mucho spoiled Bella Belen’s 20-point PVL debut after sweeping Choco Mucho, 33-31, 26-24, 25-23, behind the inspiring comebacks of Kat Tolentino and Maddie Madayag.
On Tuesday, the Inquirer reached out to the PNVF through president Ramon ‘Tats’ Suzara but received no reply. A source said the federation chief was under the weather, which Suzara later confirmed in a message: ‘I’m in the hospital.’