Foreign reinforcements were sidelined during the PVL Reinforced Conference opener, with certain documents awaiting final approval from the PNVF.
Fans raised some questions during the opening match of the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference, as foreign guest players were not called as part of the starting lineup.
That's because their International Transfer Certificates (ITCs), the documents required for foreign athletes to play in local professional leagues under FIVB regulations, have yet to be signed, according to a statement released by the Premier Volleyball League on Tuesday.
Hours before the season-opening doubleheader on October 7, at the Ynares Center Montalban, PVL teams were still waiting for final clearance from the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), the national governing body tasked with endorsing the ITCs.
Pending clearances, imports benched
PVL committee chairman Sherwin Malonzo confirmed that the league had already completed the necessary paperwork, with all player and federation signatures submitted.
However, the final endorsement from PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara had yet to be granted by game time.
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League officials were seen monitoring the FIVB online portal for updates while discussing the situation with officials from the Akari Chargers and the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles before their scheduled 4 p.m. opener.
The game eventually pushed through, but with foreign guest players Annie Mitchem and Anna DeBeer sitting on the bench.
The same situation applied to the following match between the Capital1 Solar Spikers and the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, leaving the opening day of the PVL’s season-ending conference without any of its expected foreign reinforcements.
Differing priorities
In a statement, Sports Vision, the PVL’s organizing body, expressed its regret over the delay and reiterated that it is following international volleyball procedures.
“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,” the statement read.
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The PNVF, meanwhile, has not yet released an official explanation regarding the pending approvals.
For now, the delay leaves clubs, players, and fans waiting for a resolution.
The imports remain ineligible to play until their ITCs are officially cleared, with both the PVL and PNVF expected to continue discussions in the coming days.
(Editor's Note: This is a developing story.)
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.