MAJOR changes to the Premier Volleyball League officiating will take effect in the 2024-25 PVL season. FIVB-classified international Filipino referees will be appointed for every match moving forward.
Yul Benosa, a former UAAP champion with the University of Santo Tomas and Philippine national team player, will be named the league’s new referee delegate.
With 15 years of experience as an international volleyball referee, he will be responsible for assisting and training referees in the implementation of league rules.
Additionally, foreign referees from neighboring countries will officiate matches in the PVL semifinals and finals to ensure impartiality.
Why the officiating shift now?
AVC and PNVF president Ramon 'Tats' Suzara explained the rationale behind such a shift in league officiating in a bid to hone international-caliber referees and uphold impartiality, more so in the latter stages of PVL play.
"As agreed with the PVL, the PNVF will support the PVL in the semifinals and the finals in bringing international neutral referees from nearby countries, from Hong Kong, Thailand, for two weeks or three weeks so that there is really a fair decision by the officiating referees."
Suzara furthered, "Wala nang magsasabi na may bias ‘tong referee, parehas Filipino, so we’ll put international, neutral referees so there’s no bias. This is one of the innovations that the PNVF and AVC will support PVL.
"This way, it will raise the level of our referees now in the PVL to put international referees in all the matches."
The said changes will take effect straight away when the 2024-25 PVL season begins on Nov. 9 in a double-header featuring Galeries Tower and Akari, followed by a star-studded clash between Choco Mucho and Petro Gazz.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
