Barely had the euphoria and sheer thrill of an epic Invitational finale died down when the Premier Volleyball League started prepping for the season-ending conference.
The league will return to the All-Filipino format with a record 12-team cast, as the organizing Sports Vision president, Ricky Palou, confirmed three days after the successful mid-season conference that saw the Kurashiki Ablaze of Japan dethrone the Creamline Cool Smashers in a classic one-game final, drawing over 8,000 fans at the Philsports Arena.
“The FIVB had blocked our request for ITCs (International Transfer Certificates), so there’ll be no Reinforced Conference. But we’ll proceed with the All-Filipino with 12 teams in action,” he stressed.
To play foreign guest players in the country’s premier league, PVL club teams need to secure ITCs from the FIVB, the governing body of the sport. Petro Gazz swept Cignal in the best-of-three finals to win the Reinforced Conference title last year.
The return to the All-Filipino format could be a mixed blessing for the league, which enjoyed a blockbuster Invitational Conference with 13 teams, including 11 local squads, newcomers Foton, Gerflor, and Farm Fresh, as well as the Kurashiki Ablaze and Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh of Vietnam.
“We’re very happy with the results of the first two conferences. They exceeded our expectations, especially the Invitational Conference,” said Palou.
“Sure, the fans were happy. Everybody enjoyed the game even if Creamline had lost. And that’s what we want to give the fans – enjoyment,” he continued.
Kurashiki had shown interest in defending the crown, and Palou virtually assured their return, saying: “Of course, we will invite them again.
“They really enjoyed their stay here. They never experienced playing before such huge crowds in Japan,” he added.
Palou said the third conference will start on Oct. 16 and run through December. The format will be a single round of eliminations, with the top four advancing to the semis in a best-of-three series. The winners will then compete for the crown in another best-of-three set.
“We’d like to get playing dates at the Araneta Coliseum and the SM Mall of Asia, but this will be subject to (these venues’) availability. Otherwise, most games will be played at the Philsports Arena,” said Palou.
“We’re looking at 12 teams. We have received feelers asking if they could join. But one of the league’s conditions is whether it will be for the long-term since we want those coming in to commit to stay with the league for the long-term,” added Palou.
Creamline toppled Petro Gazz in sudden death to win the All-Filipino championship last March for its sixth league championship, but the Cool Smashers missed staying on course for a grand slam after falling short against the Japanese.
