The PVL made sure to air out their take on PVL draftee Alohi Robins-Hardy’s statements about an ultimatum with Farm Fresh.
Fil-Am setter Alohi Robins-Hardy will be facing sanctions should she push through with her declared ultimatum in the event that a team other than the Farm Fresh Foxies drafts her in the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft this weekend.
Having been at odds with the PVL’s draft rules since last year, when she was barred from being hired directly by the Foxies due to technicalities, Robins-Hardy made a bold statement on Monday, saying that she would refuse to play for any other team that would draft her in the event.
That is, Robins-Hardy will choose to return to the US to continue her career if she is drafted by a team other than the Farm Fresh Foxies.
[READ: Alohi Robins-Hardy issues PVL Draft ultimatum: Farm Fresh or return to US]
“We will not allow that… She cannot choose the team that she wants to play for. She needs to go to the Draft. If another team decides to draft her and she says she refuses to play for that particular team, there will be sanctions,” said PVL President Ricky Palou.
“We still need to discuss what sanctions we will impose... Once you go to the Draft and a team wants you, you have to play for that team or you won't play at all."
According to PVL Commissioner Sherwin Malonzo, the minimum contract for rookies who are drafted in the first round is two years — that means, if another team drafts Robins-Hardy, she will be locked in with that team during that period. Or at least a year, if the PVL’s trading plans push through.
Because of this complicated web, Malonzo hopes that things go smoothly during Draft Night, and that the Foxies are able to draft Robins-Hardy with no problems.
"Sana naman [kuhanin siya ng Farm Fresh]. Kasi ang mangyayari pag iba ang nag-pick sa kanya, three years hindi sya pwede i-trade. Kung ayaw niya magsign ng contract, three years siyang [hindi lalaro],” said the PVL Commissioner.
“Although nagbitaw siya ng salita, hindi siya maglalaro. So hindi natin alam. Pero sana i-pick na agad siya ni Farm Fresh," he added.
As for any communication with Robins-Hardy and the Foxies at the moment, the PVL said they have yet to discuss anything with Farm Fresh.
But at the end of the day, Palou and Malounzo can only hope that the Foxies and Robins-Hardy meet without any complications.
"Direct, wala eh. Wala direct communication. Nakita na lang din namin kahapon lumabas. But I think noh, being the third pick, pipiliin naman nila yan ni Farm Fresh. I doubt kung papalagpasin nila yan," said Malonzo.
The 2025 PVL Rookie Draft will happen on Sunday, June 8, at Novotel Manila. It will be aired at 7 p.m. on One Sports, One Sports+, and the Pilipinas Live app.