Foton protest unlikely to prosper–PSL

Lindsay Stalzer of Foton over Shawna Lee Santos of Cignal. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The Philippine Superliga is inclined to junk the protest filed by Foton over the controversial second-set rule being implemented in the ongoing Invitational Conference.

The Tornadoes’ Serbian coach Moro Branislav called out the PSL after they suffered a 26-24, 20-25, 26-24, 13-25, 15-9 defeat at the hands of Cignal last Saturday.

The bone of contention was the new ruling that requires all teams to use their second six in the second set at least until the second technical timeout (TTO) or when a team reaches 16 points.

In the game, Cignal coach George Pascua used starting setter Mylene Paat in the second set but as a spiker because he doesn’t have enough spikers in the roster.

The table officials allowed it until Branislav pointed it out with Cignal holding a 2-1 lead. Pascua was then forced to pull out Paat, but sent her back after the second TTO.

PSL sources said Cignal’s situation was already addressed in the preliminary inquiry and it wasn’t raised anymore in the general technical meeting.

But Branislav insisted the rule was not clear and is also reportedly seeking the opinion of the FIVB regarding the disputed rule which the PSL designed to give all players a chance to prove their mettle.

But PSL president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said that new rules are at first met with skepticism and require a period of adjustment.