By NIKOLE JAVIER
The stakes just got higher for the 9 participating teams, in the coming Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference.
The winner of the event that opens shop on Oct. 8 at the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna will earn the right to represent the country in next year’s SEA Games in Cambodia.
This was announced by PVL President Ricky Palou during the league’s press conference on Wednesday, Oct. 5 at the Discovery Suites in Pasig City.
“The PNVF (Philippine National Volleyball Federation) has said that they’ll probably look at the champion of this tournament, (from) the reinforced tournament to represent the country in the Southeast Asian Games which will be in May, this will be in Cambodia,” revealed Palou.
Clashing in the opening day are PLDT and United Auctioneers-Army at 2:30 p.m. while newcomer Akari tackles Cignal at 5:30 p.m.
Bannering the country’s flag is nothing new to the league after the Creamline Cool Smashers made the country proud with their gallant showing in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Cup for Women and the ASEAN Grand Prix in the last two months.
Aside from the 16 local players that will be fielded in the tournament, only one import will be allowed to play on the official roster of each team.
The development has also warranted the coaching staff to invite additional players who will complete the cast for the international tilt.
“Obviously, the guest foreign players will have a team on winning the championship this conference. We have the import, the team may not be that strong, so I think we’ll be leaving it up to the coaching staff to determine whether they will have additional players just to reinforce,” he added.
The league also will also have its own video challenge system.
“We have already ordered and paid for the video challenge,” said Palou. “I think that was the end of July or August but they haven’t delivered it. I don’t know, for some reason, they’re saying that the cameras are not ready but the order has been there, they promised to deliver it, and we’re still waiting for it. But we will definitely have a video challenge,” said Palou.
