DESPITE getting clearance from the international volleyball federation (FIVB), Perlas imports Rupia Inck of Brazil and Naoko Hashimoto from Japan opted not to play in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference on Thursday.
While Edina Selimovic and Michelle Strizak pf Pocari Sweat along with Jeng Bualee and Jennifer Keddy of BaiPure suited up, the Perlas tandem played it safe saying they wanted to secure a confirmation from no less than FIVB president Ary Graca and/or AVC president Wongprasert Shanrit.
“Actually it was their prerogative na not to play today, they wanted to have a formal letter signed by the FIVB president or the AVC president para sure,” said Perlas team captain Dzi Gervcio.
“Syempre play safe mas mabuti na ang safe than what if semis of finals wala sila,” she added.
Although Gervacio confirmed that they have received an email from the FIVB saying that their imports have been cleared to play, the letter didn't specifically mention the names of Inck and Naoko.
“Well yeah cleared (sila to play) via email (from the FIVB), I think so,” she said. “They just listed down (that) the imports are cleared to play.”
“Like per team, “Perlas two imports, Air Force one import” it’s like that, nothing specific. So they just wanna be smart about it and we agreed naman, so that’s fine,” she added.
Despite parading an import-less team, Perlas swept Philippine Air Force, 25-23, 26-24, 25-23, and improved to 4-3.
The Spikers will play a back-to-back game on the weekend against Power Smashers and BaliPure, where the two imports are expected to make their debuts.