PVF sec gen questions POC formation of 5-man body

PHILIPPINE Volleyball Federation secretary general Otie Camangian yesterday questioned the formation of a five-man body by the Philippine Olympic Committee that will take over the affairs of the association that has been plagued by infighting.

Camangian said the problem is a leadership dispute among the PVF stakeholders—and “needs to be settled internally.”

Under Camangian’s leadership, the PVF conducted a big tryout for the national teams and managed to entice a big sponsor in telecommunications giant PLDT.

But another group within the association is now disputing the move, prompting the POC to ask for opinion of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC).

POC vice president Joey Romasanta said, after a meeting with officials of the two governing bodies, that the POC was given authority to do “what needs to be done,” and that the FIVB and the AVC will recognize it.

But Camangian raised some questions regarding the POC takeover and the composition of the five-man committee.

“We humbly believe there’s no need for power grabbing. At the end of the day the athletes, especially the national players, are in the losing end of this problem,” said Camangian in a text message. “By the way, according to the last POC general assembly,  the athletes were declared as   ‘the heart of Olympism and Olympic movement.’ ”

Among the pressing concerns the POC-led five-man committee  will address is  the short deadline for the Singapore Southeast Asian Games in June.

PH volleyball, despite growing by leaps and bounds in terms of talent and popularity, remains far behind its SEA  neighbors and missed several SEAG editions.

Romasanta is set to lead the committee along with Shakey’s V-League top official Ricky Palou and Philippine SuperLiga boss Ramon “Tats” Suzara, who is also a committee chief inside the FIVB and the AVC.

The POC vice president said they consider naming popular players Gretchen Ho of Ateneo and Angeli Tabaquero of  University of Santo Tomas, to complete the committee.

But Ho said over social media she didn’t agree on it.