PVL President Ricky Palou confirmed on Thursday that teams in the league have agreed on the timeline for releasing players who will join the Alas Pilipinas Women’s team for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
Speaking to reporters during the final day of the PVL Reinforced Conference eliminations at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Palou said team owners reached a consensus on when national team players would be made available.
“What the team owners have agreed on was that when the teams are eliminated, if they have players that are in the national pool, they will be released to the national team,” Palou said.
“But until they get eliminated, they’ll keep on playing for the team. So, what we’re looking at is a lot of these players will be playing until the championship. So, after November 30, everybody will be released.”
The women’s volleyball tournament at the Thailand Games is set to begin on December 9. Palou noted that the SEA Games are not part of the official national team window, but teams have previously loaned players in the national pool during that period while still paying their salaries.
Palou admitted that the final roster for the national pool has not yet been confirmed, as there have been changes since the original list released by the PNVF.
“We have not received the roster yet, which players are in the pool. I asked them to submit that to us. We’re waiting for that,” he said.
“Nagpalit ulit sila. They removed some and added some. Like I don’t see, I understand (Thea) Gagate is not in the pool now, pero in the first pool nandun siya. May mga ganun sila, may mga pinalitan sila.”
According to the PNVF, training for the Alas Pilipinas Women’s squad could not go “full throttle,” with only team captain Jia de Guzman, Eya Laure, Vanie Gandler, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, and Jen Nierva regularly attending sessions under Brazilian coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito at Gameville in Mandaluyong.
Palou also clarified that players are not restricted from training with the national team.
“They are (allowed), depending on the players or the teams. There’s no restriction. Normally, I think the schedule for those that are playing in the league, their training for the national pool is Sunday and Monday. Depende na sa mga players kung gusto lang sumipot doon,” he explained.
Palou emphasized that while lending players to the national team is ultimately up to the clubs, the league encourages participation, citing the benefits for both the players and Philippine volleyball.
“It’s up to them if they want to lend or not, kasi the players are under contract with their teams. Although we’re trying to encourage the team owners na pahiram niyo naman sa national team,” he said.
“It’s good, sabi ko nga, kung manalo tayo, maganda para sa liga. ‘Yung mga players ng PVL nagka-medalya sa Southeast Asian Games.”
#WATCH: PVL President Ricky Palou: #PVL2025 team owners affirm that as long as the Reinforced Conference is ongoing, their Alas players will stay with their club teams 🇵🇭🏐
📹 @justinvalencia_ /Tiebreaker Times#SEAGames2025 pic.twitter.com/CGJ7WSGZMM
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) November 20, 2025
