PVL commissioner sets record straight on import rules

PVL commissioner Sherwin Malonzo. Photo from PVL Media Bureau

MANILA – Premier Volleyball League (PVL) commissioner Sherwin Malonzo has set the record straight after the confusion on reinforcements during the opening day of the 2024 Reinforced Conference.

Malonzo addressed the situation after the first game, where Nxled has beaten Galeries in five sets, 25-19, 22-25, 25-18, 25-27, 15-12, on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

The opener had to be delayed for a few minutes due to that confusion.

READ: PVL: Nxled edges Galeries in 5-set thriller, takes Reinforced Conference opener

"Lahat ng teams natin, tag-iisang import lang," Malonzo emphasized. "Let's make it clear, 'no."

Galeries had to switch from Brazilian Monique Helena to Thai outside spiker Sutadta Chuewulim in the last minute before Day 1 of the tourney.

"In the case of Galeries, they had to change their import on the last minute because of physical problems... Short of being injured, may muscle strain all over. Parang ang pagkaintindi ko, ngayon na lang ulit naglaro 'yung Brazilian na player," he added.

"Na-strain ‘yung katawan niya so hindi makapag-perform and they had to change the last minute. So sabi ko nga sa Galeries, 'parang 'di ba kayo [concerned] kasi nabayaran na 'yung fees nila sa PNVF?' 'Hindi,' okay lang daw so they had to shoulder. They were able to get a replacement import from Thailand. So, malapit lang," Malonzo said.

"Kaya si (Sutadta) Chuewulim na ‘yung pumalit. Technically, it's just one import. Hindi listed yung isa."

Malonzo also explained the Chameleons' situation. American Meegan Hart eventually played for them instead of Chinese player Jiang Xuanyao.

"Now, in the case of Nxled, same thing... ‘Yung Chinese na una nilang import, supposedly, kumbaga hindi pa sila final with her. And then, kumuha sila ng isa pa, which is si Meegan Hart. So, I think, yun yung gusto nilang import," Malonzo bared.

"More of indecision lang. Hindi lang sila nakapag-decide agad and they were choosing between the two... Then up to the last minute, tsaka sila nag-decide kung sino 'yung kukunin nila. So naging ganu'n 'yung case. So sa case ni Nxled, they'll stick with Meegan Hart."

The PVL executive asserted later on that the only situations teams would be allowed to change imports are injuries or reinforcements going AWOL (absence without leave).

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