Amid rising concerns from players over alleged issues within Alas Pilipinas, Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Anthony “Tony Boy” Liao assured that the federation is open to dialogue, emphasizing its commitment to listen and resolve matters collaboratively.
“We’re open anytime if they want to sit down,” Liao said after Alas Pilipinas players Jia De Guzman and Fifi Sharma, among others, aired their concerns on social media regarding player welfare and other issues.
The remarks come as reports recently surfaced about problems within the national team, including delayed allowances, concerns about players being treated as commodities, and the ongoing challenge of aligning the FIVB calendar with the PVL schedule—a practice the league has implemented over the past years. These developments have raised alarm within the Philippine volleyball community.
In a series of Instagram stories, De Guzman highlighted the need to safeguard the national team for future generations, while stressing that athletes should be able to grow, compete, and receive support without having to choose between representing the country and pursuing their professional careers.
“Representing the country has always meant a lot to me, and I know that same pride is shared by so many athletes—but more than that, it’s something we have a responsibility to protect and build for the generations that come after us,” De Guzman underscored.
“At the same time, I believe athletes should be in an environment where they can continue to grow, compete, and be supported—without being put in a position where they have to choose between the national team and their careers in the league.”
Sharma, on the other hand, said she was saddened by recent developments, adding that it is painful to see the team’s trust fall into the wrong hands.
“This is the closest we’ve ever gotten to having a core, and it’s sad to see it fall into the wrong hands. It’s difficult to keep giving your all and fighting for something that consistently fails to take care of you.”
Liao said that instead of airing concerns on social media, players should approach the federation directly, noting that they remain open to dialogue and discussion.
“Ang problema kasi nga, they use social media. We’re open—we can always set up a meeting, sit down with us. The problem? They use social media. They say this, they say that. Fine with us. Hindi naman kami mamamatay, di ba? So, ‘yun lang,” said the PNVF chief.
“If they want to—let’s say Jia is the captain—she can lead the team. If you want to talk with us, fine, let’s talk. Let’s sit down.”
(C) PNVF
As for the players’ concerns, PNVF Executive Director Iby Bautista said the federation is working tirelessly to address them.
Bautista also addressed the delayed allowances, noting that the previous administration left behind a “mess,” including incomplete financial statements, missing receipts, unliquidated expenses, multiple discrepancies, and a substantial amount of debt.
He likened the situation to inheriting a house with no furniture, water, or electricity—leaving the federation to start from scratch.
“Nung nag-takeover kami, zero balance—may utang pa. To tell you honestly, ganito kakapal ang demand letter namin ng PNVF. Ang sakit sa ulo, sobra.
“When we basically took over, there was a lot of mess, I would say—especially in the financials. And just one example: yung aming 2023 financial statement ay hindi pa tapos. 2023 yun. So maraming nawawalang resibo, maraming unaccounted for. So what more itong 2024, 2025. So yun ang actually tinatrabaho namin,” Bautista said. “Before, sana na kami magpapa-interview, dapat nakumpleto na namin. It will take some more time para makumpleto namin lahat, ma-gather namin lahat yung mga… I won’t say ng mga ebidensya, pero ito yung supporting facts. Yung mga dokumento talaga.
“So maraming kaming nakitang mga discrepancies. Maraming kaming nakitang pumapasok na pera supposedly para sa isang purpose na programa, pero nangyayari, ginagamit sa iba. So parang, alam mo na, yung pinapaikot,” Bautista continued.
Bautista asked both players and fans for patience as the federation works to resolve the issues, assuring them that the new PNVF leadership will handle everything and urging everyone to remain united.
He shared that the federation is also actively seeking sponsors to support its programs, ensure timely player allowances, and strengthen the overall development of Philippine volleyball.
“So I guess, it would take some time, but this is what we have naman sa mga players and everything. Tinatrabaho naman namin yan. And just give us more time para na sa ganun may maayos namin yung problema na yan,” the former Capital1 executive said.
“We’re still trying to look for more money para sila yung mapasahod ng mga ayos. Although meron naman pumapasok na pera, pero that is intended for another program. And this new leadership is not going to use, or is not going to do what the last leadership has done, na pinapaikot nila yung pera, kasi nakakahiya naman sa mga sponsors,” he added.
“So ano yung pumapasok na yun, intended for that program only. Hindi namin po puwedeng galawin ’yon, kung hindi para sa program na ’yan.”
Despite the challenges left behind by previous administrations, the PNVF leadership emphasized its commitment to transparency, player welfare, and the continued growth of Philippine volleyball.
“So now we’re still waiting for others, hopefully sponsors na pumasok para sa ganun ma-address namin yung problema na yan. But it is our priority, basically, for the national members to receive their… what is due to them,” Bautista said.
“Para sa ganun ay hindi sila ma-disappoint. So we are trying our very best to address that problem.”
#WATCH: THERE WAS A LOT OF MESS 🇵🇭
PNVF Executive Director Iby Bautista discloses the problems the federation had when they took over 🏐#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/R2t5TjUamj
📸 @jonashdcd /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/bEsUU4YY6g
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 19, 2026
