PLDT is planning to file a protest following the dramatic end to its 2024 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference campaign on Saturday night.
High Speed Hitters head coach Rald Ricafort and team manager Bajjie Del Rosario confirmed the development to Tiebreaker Times.
During the intense semifinal clash between PLDT and Akari, the High Speed Hitters called a mid-rally challenge.
With PLDT just a point away from securing the win, they challenged an apparent net fault by Chargers middle blocker Ezra Madrigal during a lengthy rally.
However, league officials ruled the challenge unsuccessful, stating that the play had already progressed away from Madrigal and the net.
Akari import Oly Okaro had already dug the ball toward setter Kamille Cal before Madrigal landed and brushed her shoulder against the net, invalidating any net violation on the Far Eastern University product.
According to section 11.3.2 of the FIVB rulebook, “Players may touch the post, ropes, or any other object outside the antennae, including the net itself, provided that it does not interfere with the play.”
The Chargers tied the game at 14-all after being awarded a free point due to PLDT’s unsuccessful challenge. Akari went on to win the five-set match, 25-22, 18-25, 22-25, 26-24, 17-15, advancing to their first-ever finals appearance in franchise history.
This is the second time PLDT has protested a match due to a video challenge.
In the 2022 Reinforced Conference, the High Speed Hitters lodged a protest against Petro Gazz – then coached by Rald Ricafort – following an inconclusive challenge that resulted in a win for the Angels.
However, the league ultimately found the protest invalid.
