PNVF president Tats Suzara hands a certificate to PVL president Ricky Palou during a press conference on Monday.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Tats Suzara showed his full backing of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) ahead of the All-Filipino Conference opener on Saturday.

Suzara on Monday graced the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference press launch at Novotel to certify the PVL as the first and only professional volleyball league in the country and extend the federation’s full support to bring innovations including world-class referees and statistics.

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“After many years of existence of the PVL, finally I would like to recognize and certify the Premier Volleyball League as the Philippines’ number one and only professional volleyball league,” said Suzara, handing the certificate to PVL president Ricky Palou and the organizers.

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Suzara, the newly-elected AVC president, also lauded the league for holding a six-month All-Filipino Conference and the improvement of Alas Pilipinas as most of its players helped the national team win three bronze medals this year. 

“I think this is a big decision for the PVL to have the longest six-month season. This is the correct way because all club seasons are really six months. This should give more playing time for the players,” Suzara said. “I’d like to congratulate also the PVL, the coaches, the team managers for supporting the Alas Pilipinas last year. We were able to get at least two bronze medals. We were able to beat Indonesia, so hopefully our next target is Vietnam and of course Thailand. But again, thank you team owners for supporting this.”

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Suzara said Yul Benosa, the PNVF chairman of the referees’ commission, will be delegated to oversee the PVL and help improve its officiating. 

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Following a controversial finish in the Reinforced Conference semifinal match between Akari and PLDT, the PNVF will also bring foreign international referees in the best-of-three semifinals and finals for neutral officiating.

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“As [part] of the stronger partnership with the PNVF, and our meeting with Sherwin [Malonzo], the commissioner, is to appoint now Yul Benosa, our chairman of the referees commission of the PNVF, to now directly delegate for the PVL. This way, it also raises the level of our referees now in the PVL. Put international referees in all the matches,” said Suzara.

“As agreed with the PVL, the PNVF will support the PVL in the semifinals and the finals in bringing international neutral referees [from] nearby [countries]. From Hong Kong, Thailand, for two weeks or three weeks so that there is really a fair decision by the officiating referees. Wala ng magsasabi na may bias ‘tong referee, parehas Filipino, so [we’ll] put international [neutral] referees.”

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PNVF is also seeking to introduce Volleystation—the data collection and management of the FIVB.

“The PNVF made a partnership with Volleystation. It is now with the FIVB, they elevate data collection and competition management. Some of the teams now are availing of this software. The PNVF is here to support the PVL and I told Ricky Palou that it’s better if all the teams benefit from the Volleystation software. It helps the statistical analysis of the players, including the skills,” Suzara said.

Suzara said the champion of the All-Filipino Conference will also earn the right to play in the first-ever AVC Champions League against the other top clubs in the continents with the PVL shouldering the team’s participation in South Korea in May next year.

“As president of the AVC, this year we are launching the AVC Champions League for Men and Women. It is the old club championship. I went to Japan and Korea last two weeks as and Japan will host the Men’s Champions League and Korea will host the Women’s Champions League. So these are the top 12 club teams in Asia,” he said. “The club owners, huwag na magisip ng gastos, dahil PVL na ang gagastos sa funding. They are allowed to bring two foreign players.”

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Suzara is thrilled with the PVL’s continuous growth with foreign coaches like Japanese Taka Minowa of Akaripesowin, Koji Tsuzurabara of Petro Gazz, Italian Nxled coach Ettore Guidetti imparting their knowledge to the PVL players and competing local coaches.

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