PVL disallows imports in Open Conference

MANILA, Philippines – The Premier Volleyball League will no longer allow players with Alien Certificate of Residence (ACR) to play in its Open Conference unfolding on July 1.

Ricky Palou, who heads the organizing Sports Vision, on Wednesday said the board in their meeting Tuesday night voted against the "ACR rule" allowing foreigners who are permanent residents in the country validated by an ACR to see action in the forthcoming conference.

This meant Thai Pacharee Sangmuang of the Power Smashers and Amy Ahomiro of Perlas will no longer be allowed to suit up for their respective clubs, paving the way for an All-Filipino tournament.

"The rule has been changed about foreigners holding ACR. Teams voted that it should be All-Filipino and that players should be Philippine passport holders," said Palou.

Power Smashers coach Nes Pamilar announced over the weekend that they are fielding Sangmuang, who last played as an import for Air Force in the Reinforced Conference a few weeks back, because she has an ACR being a permanent resident in the Phl for three years now.

Pamilar was using the precedent of the league allowing Ahomiro, a Kiwi national who was given the green light to play last year for Bali Pure because she has an ACR having lived in the country for several years being a player of Ateneo.

And now both Pacharee and Ahomiro will not be able to play anymore.

Meanwhile, the PVL welcomed Akari and Hapee Toothpaste as the newest members.

Akari will be composed of Adamson players spearheaded by Jemma Galanza, formerly of Creamline, and coached by American Airess Padda while Hapee will have Jerry Yee, formerly of Perlas, as mentor and crew composed mostly of State U stars headed by Issa Molde and Diane Carlos.

Pocari Sweat is the defending champion seeking a fourth straight crown.

The other holdover teams are Bali Pure, an Alyssa Valdez-led Creamline, Air Force, Power Smashers and Perlas.