IT was a confusing opening day for the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference as last-minute import changes for both Nxled and Galeries Tower stirred things up in the opening day of the tournament.
The curtain raiser between the Chameleons and Highrisers had to be delayed for a few minutes as both teams sorted out their final guest reinforcements.
Initially listed for the Chameleons was Chinese winger Jiang Xuanyao, who was ruled out at the last minute and replaced by American Meegan Hart.
The Highrisers first tapped Monique Helena but physical conditioning issues hounded th Brazilian ace, forcing Galeries to go with Sutadta Cheuwulim instead.
PVL commissioner Sherwin Malonzo settled the score on why both teams were allowed to make changes, and made it clear that all PVL teams are entitled to just one reinforcement each.
“In the case of Galeries, they had to change their import on the last minute because of physical problems, and may muscle strain all over. Ang pagkaintindi ko, ngayon na lang ulit naglaro ‘yung Brazilian na player,” Malonzo said.
“Na-strain ‘yung katawan niya so hindi makapag-perform and they had to change the last minute. Sabi ko nga sa Galeries, parang ‘di ba kayo (concerned) kasi nabayaran na ‘’yung fees nila sa PNVF. Hindi, okay lang daw so they had to shoulder. They were able to get a replacement import from Thailand. So, malapit lang,” he added.
“Kaya si (Sutadta) Chuewulim na ‘yung pumalit. Technically, it's just one import. Hindi listed yung isa.”
One-day training
A more drastic change was made over on the Nxled side as Hart entered the fray just roughly 24 hours before their conference-opening, five-set victory over Galeries Tower.
On top of that, she had just one full training before suiting up for the Chameleons.
“Now, in the case of Nxled, same thing. ‘Yung Chinese na una nilang import, supposedly, baka hindi pa sila final with her. And then, kumuha sila ng isa pa, which is si Meegan Hart. So, I think, yun yung gusto nilang import,” Malonzo explained.
“More of yun (indecision) lang. Hindi lang sila nakapag-decide (agad) and they were choosing between the two. Then up to the last minute, tsaka sila nag-decide kung sino yung kukunin nila. So sa case ni Nxled, they will stick with Meegan Hart.”
These changes were green-lit by the PVL as they were made prior to the start of the conference.
The only mid-conference scenarios in which import changes will be allowed are either confirmed injuries to a team’s reinforcement or an absence without official leave (AWOL).
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