Imports suit up as LVPI secures ITCs

Larong Volleyball ng Pilipinas, Inc. acting president Peter Cayco yesterday said the FIVB has approved the LVPI’s request for the International Transfer Certificates (ITC), paving the way for the imports to finally see action in the Premier Volleyball League today at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

“Peter Cayco said the FIVB has approved our request and they expect to get the ITCs tonight (last night),” said Ricky Palou, president of the organizing Sports Vision.

That should set the stage for the stint of Pocari Sweat’s imports Michelle Strizak and Edina Selimovic and BaliPure’s Jennyfer Brooke Keddy and Jang Bualee as the two leading teams tangle at 4 p.m. today.

Air Force’s Patcharee Saengmuan and Perlas’ Rupia Inck and Naoko Hashimoto are also expected to see action when they clash in the 6:30 p.m. main game.

Cayco, who communicated with Switzerland-based FIVB’s Carlos de Asis, the official in charge of ITC applications, to help facilitate the issuance of the ITCs, also said their request for new username and password had already been granted and is now in the possession of LVPI.

Other reinforcements set to finally see action are Creamline’s Kuttika Kaewpin and Laura Schaudt, and the Power Smashers’ Hyapha Amporn and Kannika Thipachot.

Meanwhile, Pocari Sweat hopes to sustain its hot run as it collides with BaliPure in a battle of top two teams while Perlas tries to bounce back against lowly Air Force.

The Lady Warriors stretched their win run to five after backto-back losses with a 25-17, 2517, 22-25, 18-25, 15-3 victory over the Perlas Spikers Tuesday night with the reigning champions out to firm up their hold of the lead with another win over the Water Defenders at 4 p.m.

BaliPure actually upended Pocari Sweat in three in their first round meeting but the Lady Warriors have since bounced back to surge ahead of the compact six-team field in the season-opening conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.

Pocari nearly blew a 2-0 set lead as it slowed down in the next two, enabling Perlas to force a decider. But Myla Pablo took over, firing four of her 26 hits to give Pocari Sweat a commanding 10-1 lead en route to victory.