AN exchange of video challenges ensued late in Petro Gazz’ 24-26, 25-18, 25-17, 27-25 win over Choco Mucho in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals, prolonging the Angels' already extended-set four victory.
With Petro Gazz at match point in Set 4, 24-23, it called for a ball in/ball out challenge on Choco Mucho winger Royse Tubino’s attack that was initially ruled to have touched the left sideline.
READ: PVL finals within reach for Petro Gazz after win over Choco Mucho
Instead of the usual close-up video challenge, a wide angle of the ball’s landing was shown — one that seemed to have dropped on the line from afar.
Then came a series of late exchanges from the sidelines involving the Petro Gazz coaching staff and the officials’ table to appeal the initial ruling.
A referee’s challenge came into play to review the contested sequence.
Two closer angles of the shot were unfortunately impeded by Myla Pablo’s left foot and the linesman’s flag which was held down and covered the video challenge camera aimed at the challenged area of Petro Gazz’ side of the taraflex.
The LED screen showed the ruling from the referee’s challenges — that being ‘not judgeable.’
It was effectively an inconclusive challenge and was followed by two more Petro Gazz match points before Pablo’s off-speed hit slammed the door shut on a brewing five-setter.
The official ruling played out in adherence to Section 20 of the 2024 FIVB Video Challenge System regulations:
“As a general principle, a suspected fault that is NOT CONFIRMED by the video footage, is considered as NOT having occurred and the original Referees’ decision remains valid.
“Where the video evidence is inconclusive, the Referee’s decision stands, but the team does not lose its Challenge.”
Having dodged what would’ve been an instant momentum-breaker, Petro Gazz still found a way to move one win away from a fifth PVL Finals appearance when it faces Akari on Thursday, 4 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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