IN a parallel universe, Ateneo should be on its way back from a two-week training camp in Spain.
Instead, the Blue Eagles are under a dark cloud approaching the upcoming UAAP Season 89, their participation still up in the air.
SPIN.ph sources bared that just like last year, Ateneo was supposed to make a trip to Spain to scrimmage and test their mettle against local squads there.
Those plans, however, were scratched following the ill-fated training camp in Dipaculao, Aurora which claimed the lives of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili and the subsequent suspension of off-campus activities by the university.
Unlike the Katipunan-based school, San Beda is pushing through with its planned trip to Spain.
The Red Lions, another basketball program supported by the MVP Group, are set to leave on Friday for two weeks overseas.
It's the second year that the Mendiola crew will partake in such activity, with last year's trip in Malaga overseen by renowned coach Luis Guil.
That proved to be a fruitful sojourn with San Beda reclaiming the NCAA Season 101 crown last year and one it would love to replicate this year with Aldous Torculas and Dom Sarigumba now on board to team up with Zed Etulle, Jomel Puno, and RC Calimag.
Approaching the college basketball season, San Beda's still ready to paint the town red while Ateneo is still bluer than blue. - RL
PVL's import-laden conference faces risk owing to PNVF suspension
THE PVL Reinforced Conference is in a state of uncertainty due to the PNVF's indefinite suspension from the FIVB, with the sanction, if not resolved, most like preventing teams from bringing in foreign imports.
At least for now, however, nothing is set in stone regarding the fate of the conference, with SPIN.ph sources saying league officials are still awaiting clarity on how the FIVB suspension will affect the import process.
Clubs will soon seek answers on the processing of International Transfer Certificates (ITCs), which are required for overseas players to compete in the league.
Under FIVB rules, a suspended national federation cannot issue or endorse ITCs as its access to the Volleyball Information System (VIS), the governing body's official transfer platform, is on hold during the course of the suspension.
The FIVB Sports Regulations state that only the world governing body, continental confederations and national federations in good standing can access the transfer system.
The FIVB, however, retains ultimate authority over international transfers and may step in to process urgent ITCs when a national federation is suspended to protect athletes' livelihoods.
The issue affects player registration, as athletes transferring into a league under a suspended federation cannot be issued a domestic playing license without FIVB intervention. - John Mark Garcia
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