WHILE the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference has come to an end, the scars of its most controversial match have yet to heal.
Hence, calls were made on social media by Akari head coach Taka Minowa and Mich Cobb directed at fans and PLDT's Kim Fajardo aimed at the league itself.
READ: Haters gonna hate? Akari Chargers just shake it off
Akari and PLDT’s knockout semifinal match, won by the former, stirred controversy over a net touch infraction on Akari’s Ezra Madrigal when PLDT held match point in the fifth set.
Once the point was awarded to the Chargers, a clutch 3-1 scoring run slammed the door shut on the High Speed Hitters’ finals bid — one that resulted in sheer agony and a post-game protest denied by the league, citing how the calls made in the disputed sequence adhered to FIVB regulations.
‘An insult to volleyball’
Minowa, who led Akari to a runner-up finish in his first conference as head coach, had a rude awakening in the PVL Finals stage.
The online hate Akari received from the semifinals debacle spewed over at the Philsports Arena as boos and jeers rainded down the team all-night long.
Such a hostile treatment did not sit well with the Japanese mentor and even went as far as describing the PVL Finals crowd as 'an insult to volleyball.’
Minowa aired his grievances on Instagram, questioning the league’s silence on the issue and sharing his regret for not being able to do anything about the vile atmosphere his team was subjected to in what was meant to be a historic night for the franchise.
"I cannot understand what I was made to see and hear. My players were booed and continuously insulted during the match. I also felt that this was an insult to volleyball itself. I am very saddened by the current situation where no one involved with the league is mentioning this issue. It is unacceptable,” Minowa wrote in Japanese.
And one of many reasons he won’t forget his first PVL Finals is how it also became his first negative experience with a volleyball crowd in any match he’s ever been part of.
“While I have seen the venue heat up many times with the best performances of both teams in the final, this is the first time I have seen the venue heat up due to bashing and booing at a specific player who was down, and as a coach, I will never forget this experience. I only feel regret for not being able to do anything.
“Will the young players who watched this match dream of playing on this stage? What about the dignity and responsibility of professional teams? I hope that the organizations surrounding the league, teams, and coaches will think about how to nurture their players.”
Calls for respect and integrity
Cobb echoed Minowa’s remarks on the hostile treatment to Akari players by sharing ill-intentioned comments on social media.
The Akari playmaker expressed her frustration on how some fans have ‘fostered a sports community that is filled with hatred and hostility.’
“Bakit po kailangan umabot sa punto na gusto niyo pong ma-injure ang mga players? Sumosobra na po kayo. Tama na po. Hindi po kami gumagawa ng rules ng volleyball. Manlalaro lang po kaming lahat,” said Cobb.
“Lahat po kami, katulad ng ibang PVL teams ay nagpapakahirap at nagsasakripisyo para po makalaro nang maayos dahil hindi lang sa hilig kundi ito po ang trabaho namin.
“At bilang ‘sports fans’ at hilig po nating lahat ang volleyball, sana po ‘wag po natin pairalin ang pambabastos at pamemersonal sa mga players at coaches.”
READ: PLDT starts healing process after 'net loss' in PVL Reinforced
Meanwhile, Fajardo took implicit aim at the league for how their semis match with Akari, and the root cause of the entire fiasco, was handled.
At this point, she can only wish for such an incident to be the last of its kind.
“People started having doubts towards the sport we all love because of what happened. The physical, mental and emotional health of the players are at stake here. This should not even happen,” Fajardo wrote.
“Please, don’t allow this to happen again. Respect the game. Have some integrity for the sport.”
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