PVL imports have been indefinitely barred from seeing action in the 2025 Reinforced Conference.
READ: PVL teams still awaiting clearance for imports just before opener
As such, the league has called out the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) for refusing to endorse the international transfer certificates (ITC) needed for foreign guest players to be eligible to play.
League organizer Sports Vision described the development as ‘unprofessional and obstructionist’ on the PVL website, as the impasse surfaced despite the league and its teams’ insistence it complied with all documentary requirements beforehand.
“The PVL regrets to inform the public that the foreign guest players will not be permitted to participate in the ongoing season-ending conference until their ITCs are duly approved,” Sports Vision said in its statement.
“Preparations have been made in good faith based on the schedule given to us. But then, at the last minute, the PNVF changed the terms.
“Is the PVL composed only of players in the national team? What happens to the rest of Philippine volleyball – to its growth, to its fans, to the professional clubs – if all PNVF programs are implemented unilaterally and disruptively?”
A new wrinkle in the PVL-PNVF relationship
Moments before first serve, PVL officials were notified that the PNVF would provide president Ramon ‘Tats’ Suzara’s signature ‘in a few minutes.’
The wait was drawn out beyond the supposed 4 p.m. start time of the season-opener between Akari and ZUS Coffee.
Around 20 minutes later, PVL Commissioner Sherwin Malonzo stepped out of the conference room and approached both the Chargers and the Thunderbelles’ head coaches to notify them of the development.
Imports Annie Mitchem and Anna DeBeer both warmed up for their teams and were even in uniform, but did not start the match before being sidelined altogether.
League officials went on to hit out at the national federation and questioned its role in uplifting Philippine volleyball.
“What real contribution has the PNVF made to the growth of volleyball in the country? Aside from asserting authority and taking credit for the achievements of others, what lasting legacy are they building?” an official said.
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