Barely the euphoria and the sheer thrill of an epic Invitational finale had died down, the Premier Volleyball League is already prepping up for the season-ending conference to be held back to the All-Filipino format with the organizing Sports Vision looking at a record 12-team cast.
“We’ll be back to All-Filipino for the third conference,” said PVL and organizing Sports Vision president Ricky Palou, three days after the highly-successful mid-season conference that saw the Kurashiki Ablaze of Japan dethrone the Creamline Cool Smashers in a classic one-game final, which drew more than 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 to see action,” he stressed.
PVL club teams need to secure the ITCs from the FIVB, the governing body of the sport, to be able their respective foreign guest players to play in the country’s premier league.
Petro Gazz swept Cignal in the best-of-three finals to capture the Reinforced Conference title last year.
The return to the All-Filipino format could be a mixed blessing for the league, which is riding the crest of a blockbuster Invitational Conference staging that featured 13 teams, made up of 11 local squads, including newcomers Foton, Gerflor and Farm Fresh, and 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,” said Palou.
For one, Kurashiki had signified its intention to defend the crown with Palou virtually assuring the Japanese 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 will run through December. Format will be a single round elims with the top four advancing to the semis, a best-of-three series. Winners will dispute the crown in another best-of-three setto.
“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 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.
