PVL, Bali Pure looking into Bermillo slapping case as Dzakovic leaves on Sunday

One of the most extraordinary incidents in the 15-year history of the V-League happened Saturday afternoon.

During Bali Pure’s final game of the conference against Creamline, libero Jewelle Bermillo and import Danijela Dzakovic figured in a miscommunication that resulted to an error to close out the first set.

Infuriated, the 5-foot-9 Montenegrin hit the 5-foot-4 defensive specialist with a slap to her nape. The hit was so hard that Bermillo’s contact lens popped out of her eye.

According to the revised FIVB rulebook, the first referee had every right to impose a sanction on Dzakovic, as it is a case of misconduct via aggression due to a physical attack on a teammate.

In most cases, Dzakovic should have been disqualified from the game, but the first referee let the incident go by.

Though the 16-year veteran has apologized and the second-year student-athlete from San Sebastian has accepted, the PVL and Bali Pure are investigating the incident.

Up until late Saturday evening, SportsVision president Ricky Palou and team manager Gil Cortez were still in communication as to what sanction they would impose on Dzakovic. Both Palou and Cortez are also members of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

It is expected that the league will release a statement on Sunday. However, it is the same day as Dzakovic’s flight out of Manila.

According to multiple sources closely monitoring the situation, Bali Pure will most likely not hold Dzakovic’s departure.

This caps a conference full of frustration for Bali Pure, who lost all 10 of their games.