Newly-elected Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Anthony “Tony Boy” Liao raised concerns over several decisions made by the previous leadership regarding the Alas Pilipinas Women squad set to compete in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games this December.
This includes the inclusion of Fil-American PVL MVP Brooke Van Sickle, whose transfer from USA Volleyball has yet to be finalized, in the final lineup submitted last September.
Yes, a 14-player roster had already been submitted to the SEA Games organizing committee, and Van Sickle — whose participation remains uncertain while her paperwork is still pending — was included.
“Nilineup pa pala si Brooke Van Sickle. Nilineup nila — alam naman nila na si Brooke Van Sickle hindi pwedeng maglaro dahil ang kanyang federation is still USA… Alam naman nila ‘yung regulasyon, bakit they are trying to twist? Ila-lineup mo, alam mong hindi makakalaro,” Liao said.
But aside from that, he also raised other issues regarding the national team’s preparation.
Liao specifically criticized the insistence that all PVL players in the 20-woman pool be released from their clubs to attend national team training, even though the 14-woman roster had already been submitted to the SEA Games organizing committee.
“Okay, talagang napakalungkot na hindi pa nakakapag-training nang kumpleto,” Liao said just hours after officially taking over as the new PNVF president, succeeding Ramon “Tats” Suzara.
“When you say kumpleto, kasi sila, pinipilit nila ‘yung pool of, I think, 20 players. I don’t know if you all know, ‘yung Southeast Asian Games organizing committee, may deadline ‘yan eh to submit ‘yung entry by name… Ang deadline nun was last September. Nagpadala na sila ng 14 names… Bakit mo pipilitin mag-ensayo lahat?
“Kinwestyon ko ‘yan… Kapag nag-submit ka na ng entry by name, mapapalitan mo lang ‘yung na-injure sa general technical meeting… So ngayon, kung hindi injured, hindi mo pwedeng palitan,” added Liao, who was serving as a Board Member for the federation at the time.
Prior to the PVL Reinforced Conference, the federation had requested the release of the pool players so they could focus full-time on the national team’s preparations.
However, the league could not grant this, as the players still had commitments to their respective club teams — particularly since they had already missed the entire preseason due to the national team window, which does not include the SEA Games.
Despite this, the league worked out a resolution, coordinating with club owners to allow their national team players to participate in twice-weekly preparations with Alas Pilipinas despite the ongoing import-laden tournament.
The 69-year-old longtime volleyball official added that requiring all 20 pool members to train gives the public the wrong impression that the PVL is at fault for the national team’s delayed preparations, when in fact the league had already worked out a compromise.
“Niloloko ang tao na kailangan mag-training lahat. ‘Pag hindi nakapag-training ‘yan, kasalanan niyo PVL. ‘Hindi niyo ni-release ‘yung mga players.’ Edi ang sinasabi ni Mr. Palou, ‘Sige, sisihin niyo kami,’” said Liao, who also happens to be the Chairman of the PVL.
“Number one, meron kaming agreement with the PVL — we cannot release them as a whole because the Reinforced Conference is happening now,” he added.
It just happened that some players are not attending practices, according to Liao, although others have practiced consistently, led by team captain Jia De Guzman, Eya Laure, Vanie Gandler, Dawn Catindig, Leila Cruz, Bella Belen, as well as UAAP standouts Angel Canino and Shaina Nitura.
The league, with approval from the clubs, also said it would release players from eliminated teams immediately — a setup that mirrors arrangements between the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, the UAAP, and the PBA, where national team commitments are balanced with league schedules.
Liao said these issues will be reviewed as the federation looks to stabilize preparations heading into the biennial meet, emphasizing the importance of clear coordination between the PNVF, PVL clubs, and national team staff moving forward.
