PLDT has withdrawn from the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference slated to begin this week.
Such a request, however, was filed before its controversial defeat to Akari in the Reinforced Conference knockout semifinals on Saturday.
READ: Akari charges into first-ever PVL finals - but not before controversy
Sources told SPIN.ph there was one particular reason why the High Speed Hitters have resorted to pulling out from the Invitationals: injuries.
"Injuries eh. Kaya hirap na hirap na kaming iraos 'yung (Reinforced) Conference, tapos ganito pa," an unimpeachable source said.
To be clear, PLDT's plan to skip the Invitationals was NOT prompted by their semis defeat to the Chargers, and the team is still waiting for the league's response to their request.
Among their key injuries this conference were Fil-Canadian ace Savi Davison and yet-to-debut spiker Kianna Dy.
READ: PLDT to protest controversial semis loss to Akari
The High Speed Hitters qualified for the Invitationals by virtue of being a semifinalist in the ongoing import-laden conference, together with tormentor Akari, finalist Creamline, and fellow bronze-medal contender Cignal.
Right after their semis loss to the Chargers, PLDT lodged a formal protest on the controversial net touch challenge in Set 5.
PVL confirms PLDT withdrawal
PVL commissioner Sherwin Malonzo received PLDT's formal request to back out from the Invitationals last Thursday, the initial semis game day which was then postponed due to a power outage.
The league also re-asserted that PLDT's semis loss and ongoing protest had nothing to do with the team's decision, one centered on the intent to rest and recuperate in light of multiple player injuries.
"Yes, they (PLDT) pulled out nu'ng Thursday pa. Just to be clear, (the decision to withdraw was) not related to yesterday's incident, but because they want to rest their players.
"They will have a replacement. Announcements will come out soon."
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