Alohi Robins-Hardy was not included in Cignal’s lineup for the 2021 Premier Volleyball League Open Conference.
The 25-year-old Hawaiian admitted on social media that she has yet to obtain her Philippine passport despite already playing in the country for two years in the Philippine Superliga.
“As you may or may not have heard, I will not be returning to the Philippines to play in the 2021 PVL season. Obtaining my passport has been a long, difficult process but I am working on it,” the 6-foot-3 playmaker shared.
Robins-Hardy first played in the Philippines back in 2019 when she suited up for United VC.
When UVC disbanded, she transferred to Cignal, where she helped the team win silver in the 2019 All-Filipino Conference.
However, she played in the league without obtaining a Philippine passport. That made her ineligible for the country’s first professional league for women’s volleyball.
This was also the obstacle that led to her non-inclusion in the Philippine team that competed in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
This is unlike the case of Amy Ahomiro.
Ahomiro, a Kiwi, had already served her five-year residency stay in the Philippines when she studied and played in Ateneo. It made her eligible to play in the V-League as a local.
Still, Robins-Hardy is optimistic that she will get her documents done this year.
“! I truly miss playing in front of the best fanbase. But no doubt, I will be back soon! And make no mistake, playing for the Philippine flag is still a goal of mine.”
