By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
The Premier Volleyball League has postponed the highly anticipated showdown between unbeaten Akari and multi-titled Creamline for the Reinforced Conference crown due to severe weather conditions brought about by Tropical Storm ‘Enteng.’
Originally set for Monday, Sept. 2, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the match has been rescheduled to Wednesday, Sept. 4, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The first round of the ICTSI Junior PGT Luzon Series 6, also originally set for Monday (Sept. 2) at the Mount Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Lipa City, Batangas, has been canceled due, according to the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
“Due to weather conditions, we regret to inform you that Round 1 of the JPGT Luzon Series 6 has been canceled. The safety of the players is our top priority, and the current weather does not permit us to proceed as planned,” the PGTI said in a statement. “We apologize for the short notice and any inconvenience this may cause. Further details regarding rescheduling will be provided soon.”
Also cancelled were the three matches in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Affected were the Sarangani-Caloocan, Marikina-Rizal and Manila-Pangasinan tussles. They will be played at a later date.
Meanwhile, the league has turned down the protest of the PLDT High Speed Hitters following their controversial semifinal loss to the Akari Chargers last Saturday, Aug. 31, in the Reinforced Conference.
The league cited FIVB Rule 11.3.2, which allows players to touch the net as long as it doesn’t interfere with the play.
Leading 14-13, the High Speed Hitters challenged a net fault on Akari’s Ezra Madrigal that could have given them the winning point.
The officials, however, ruled against the challenge, allowing the Chargers to extend the match and eventually clinch a come-from-behind win.
PVL Commissioner Sherwin Malonzo, however, addressed the issue moments after the match and said that based on the FIVB rule book Madrigal had not committed a net fault with both her feet already on the floor and that the contact with the net was a second motion away from ball play.
“At the same time, PLDT called for a mid-rally challenge. The consequence of doing a mid-rally challenge is that if it’s denied or unsuccessful, the point goes to the opponent,” he said.
“If it had been successful, the point would have been theirs, but based on the interpretation of our referees and the FIVB casebook, which we followed, since it was away from the play, it’s not considered a net fault,” he added.
With the development, the High Speed Hitters will face the Cignal HD Spikers for the bronze medal.
Meanwhile, sources said the Farm Fresh Foxies are slated to replace the High Speed Hitters in the PVL Invitational Conference scheduled this week.
The development came after the High Speed Hitters requested to pull out of the Invitationals due to injuries to some key players.
