PVL plots new season

The Philippine Volleyball League (PVL) is set to convene on Wednesday to tackle its course of action heading for its inaugural season as a professional league.

PVL president Ricky Palou yesterday said he would meet all team owners at 9 a.m. to discuss how they can safely and effectively rollout their brand-new season amid the threat of the coronavirus pandemic.

“We will meet on Wednesday and, basically, we will talk about the course of action to take for the season to push through,” Palou told Daily Tribune in a conversation.

“It would be crucial because it will dictate how we are going to stage the season despite all that is happening in the country. We have to get the opinions of the team owners and, basically, all the decision-makers here.”

Initially, the league was planning to open the season in May, but it was pushed back to tha latter part of the month after the government placed the National Capital Region and nearby provinces under enhanced community quarantine.

The league is also looking at holding the tourney inside a bubble at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, but it appears that the facility could not accommodate the players, coaches and key personnel from all 12 teams.

Palou admitted that opening the season next month appears impossible as they want to give teams a chance to have longer training, especially since they haven’t seriously trained since last year.

“We’re looking at whether when we will open and which venue and what facility we are using,” Palou said.

“But that (May opening) is now impossible because it’s still MECQ (moderate enhanced community quarantine) so most likely, we’ll open the season in June. But still, it’s up to the team owners.”