THE Premier Volleyball League and Pocari Sweat yesterday blasted the Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc, for its failure to act on the Lady Warriors’ request for the ITC (International Transfer Certificate) of their import replacement as they fight for one of the last two semifinal berths in the ongoing PVL Reinforced Conference.
Pocari Sweat team manager Eric Ty said that Krystal Rivers has been in town ready to take over Edina Selimovic, who is out for the rest of the season with a hamstring tear. But without the ITC, Rivers could not suit up for the defending champions one game into the single round quarterfinal phase.
“Our new import is here but to the person withholding access to our team’s FIVB account, please act with decency and register our import,” said Pocari team manager Eric Ty.
The same ITC woes forced the league, which revived the once dormant sport in 2004, to play all Filipino majority of the elims.
“I am really dismayed with LVPI and how it has been handling the ITC problems. The Premier Volleyball League has been encountering these problems the last three years. It just shows the weakness of the LVPI leadership,” said Ricky Palou, president of the organizing Sports Vision.
Meanwhile, Creamline geared up for its keenly awaited face-off with Pocari Sweat with a 25-16, 9-25, 17-25, 25-13, 15-13 win over Perlas late Saturday, matching the Lady Warriors’ scrambling victory over Air Force at the start of the quarterfinal round of the PVL Reinforced Conference at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.
Alyssa Valdez came through with back-to-back kills to shatter the 13-all count in the decider and save the day for the Cool Smashers, who blew a 12-8 lead on miscues and wobbly defense that enabled the Perlas Spikers to claw back and force a tie.
Earlier, the defending champion Lady Warriors also rallied from 1-2 set down to repulse the Jet Spikers, 21-25, 25-23, 19-25, 25-14, 15-10, as the two fancied teams lined themselves up for crack at the last two semifinal berths in the season-opening conference of the league organized by Sports Vision and backed by Mikasa and Asics.
They will virtually dispute the third slot tomorrow at 4 p.m. with no team holding a distinct advantage after they split their meetings in the double-round elims via the same fashion. Pocari downed Creamline, 15-25, 25-18, 26-24, 25-19, last May 11 but the latter struck back with a 21-25, 25-18, 25-20, 25-13 romp last May 20.
Valdez wound up with 21 hits against Perlas with the equally power-hitting Thai reinforcement Kuttika Kaewpin backing her up with 19 markers while other import Laura Schaudt provided an intimidating presence on the net with four block points before finishing with eight markers.
It was a sorry setback for Perlas, which had appeared to get Creamline’s numbers by taking a 2-1 set lead but whose charge fizzled out in the face of the Cool Smashers strong finishing kick.
Meanwhile, Perlas and Air Force also brace for a crucial match at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow, a virtual knockout duel with the winner staying in the hunt for the last semis seat.
BaliPure and the Power Smashers advanced to the semis outright by topping the double-round elims.
Games tomorrow
1 p.m. – Cignal vs Sta. Elena (men’s)
4 p.m. – Creamline vs Pocari Sweat (women’s)
6:30 p.m. – Air Force vs Perlas (women’s)