PVL commissioner Sherwin Malonzo during a press conference ahead of the All-Filipino Conference set on Saturday.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Citing league regulations, the PVL stood firm that Alohi Robins-Hardy needs to enter the Rookie Draft to be cleared to play.
PVL commissioner Sherwin Malonzo said the Filipino-American setter, welcomed by Farm Fresh two weeks ago, remained ineligible to play in the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference starting November 9.
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“Alohi is a good addition to our league. She’s a good player but because of the regulations that we created earlier this year and all the team know about it naman eh. You have to have played from 2021 until 2024. Pag part ka ng mga teams, any team ni-lineup ka during those periods, you are considered a veteran player, so you don’t have to go through the draft. In her case kasi, hindi siya na-linuep eh,” said Malonzo in the press conference on Monday at Novotel.
READ: Alohi Robins-Hardy signing faces scrutiny in PVL meeting
“Since hindi siya na-lineup, she has to go through the draft process, where she needs to submit certain documents.”
Farm Fresh didn’t attend the league press conference and has yet to speak about the matter.
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“Baka naman ila-lineup as coaching staff palang, hindi ko alam. Ang in-announce magigng part siya, maglalaro pero could be practice player. Walang formal, malinaw na kung ano gagawin sa kanya. Kung i-la-linuep, babalik ako sa regulations namin which is she has to go through the draft,” said Malonzo.
Robins-Hardy, who played for Cignal in the defunct Philippines Superliga, has yet to play in the PVL since it became a pro league in 2021.
Since the PVL held the Rookie Draft this year, the organizers formed a set of regulations that a player who has yet to play in the league must enter the draft to avoid direct hiring.
“Draft applicants are defined as all female volleyball players, who previously played collegiately, overseas, or in other leagues, but have never played in the PVL since the league’s status became professional back in 2021 until the 1st conference of 2024,” the rule stated in section 2.1. the definition of the rookie draft applicants.
“Interested applicants must meet ALL eligibility requirements before proceeding with the application process.”
READ: Alohi Robins-Hardy set for PH return, joins PVL team Farm Fresh
Jewelle Bermillo, who played for BaliPure in 2019, joined this year’s draft since she didn’t see action in the league’s professional era.
The Foxies even signed Adamson’s injured middle blocker Lorene Toring and put her name on the line-up before the 2024 All-Filipino Conference last February to avoid the draft.
Robins-Hardy is already in the country training with the Foxies since last month.
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Despite Robins-Hardy not being eligible, Farm Fresh signed Rachel Anne Daquis and Jheck Dionela to bolster its young lineup bannered by Trisha Tubu, Louie Romero, Jolina Dela Cruz, and Rizza Cruz.
