By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
The Premier Volleyball League (PVL) expressed its frustration over what it described as “unprofessional” and “obstructionist” behavior by the national federation after being forced to sideline its guest players at the start of the Reinforced Conference on Tuesday, Oct. 7.
In a statement, PVL organizer Sports Vision said the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) has refused to endorse the International Transfer Certificates (ITCs) required for foreign imports to compete in the said tournament despite the timely submission of all documentation, including signed clearances from the players.
Sports Vision said the delay not only disrupts the tournament’s competitive integrity but also puts at risk the careers and contracts of professional players who came to the Philippines in good faith.
“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 Sports Vision.
“We respectfully urge the PNVF to expedite the signing process to prevent further disruption to the tournament,” the statement added.
However, insiders said that PNVF is using the ITC approval as leverage to pressure the PVL into adjusting its conference schedule — allegedly to make way for national team preparations ahead of the upcoming Southeast Asian Games in Thailand this December.
The PNVF allegedly demanded that the Reinforced Conference should end by Nov. 16 despite the PVL having already structured the tournament to run until Nov. 27.
The PVL has previously adjusted its calendar to support the national program, even after the PH team’s commitments ended last Sept. 30.
“Preparations have been made in good faith based on the schedule given to us. But then, at the last minute, the PNVF changed the terms,” said a league official.
“Is the PVL composed only of players in the national team? What happens to the rest of Philippine volleyball — to its growth, to its fans, to the professional clubs — if all PNVF programs are implemented unilaterally and disruptively?” the official added.
At presstime, the opening matches pitting ZUS Coffee against Akari, and Capital1 versus Choco Mucho are being played with an all-Filipino lineup at the Ynares Center in Montalban.
