PLAYERS will now be allowed to do on-court handshakes before and after matches as the PVL eases health protocols when the 2023 All-Filipino Conference opens on Feb. 4 at the Araneta Coliseum.
The tournament will also follow its previous format with the team battling it out in a single round-robin elimination round.
See Akari, Choco Mucho clash in PVL All-Filipino opener
The top four teams advance to the semis, also a round-robin, with the top two battling in a best-of-three finals for the title. The No. 3 and 4 teams after the semifinals clash in a best-of-three battle for bronze.
Akari and Choco Mucho play in the opener followed by rivals Petro Gazz and defending champion Creamline.
“We will do again the protocols that have been happening before the pandemic," tournament director Tony Boy Liao said on Saturday.
Sports Vision President Ricky Palou is expecting a tight race for the title.
"This year we saw a lot of player movements from one team to another team. The reason for this is because these teams want to beef up their line-ups and beef up their strengths," said Palou.
"I'm sure, all the teams now will be more competitive than in the past," he added.
The tournament is expected to run until the end of March, with the league giving way for the preparations of the women's national volleyball team for the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.
“What we are looking at is the national team to be able to prepare for the SEA Games. They have about six weeks to train. I understand they will be sent abroad for a training camp,” Palou said.
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