FILE PHOTO– F2 Logistics. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—F2 Logistics’ move from the Philippine Superliga to the Premier Volleyball League may have looked complicated, but it was a deal that was completed in mere hours.
Ricky Palou, the president of Sports Vision Management Group, said he and F2 Logistics owner Efren Uy talked over the Cargo Movers’ switch to the PVL one Wednesday night and it was officially announced on the noon of Thursday.
“We just talked last night and they were also asking if it was possible to join [the PVL] and you know, like what I told the other teams, that they’re all welcome here,” said Palou Thursday.
“This was an invitation extended to all the teams. If you’re willing to join us you’re more than welcome. I was talking to Efren and they said that yes they’ll join the PVL.”
The Cargo Movers’ move meant that the PVL completed its 12-team lineup for its first professional season pegged to begin on May 8 at Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
F2 Logistics joined fellow former PSL clubs Cignal, PLDT, Sta. Lucia, and Cherry Tigo as the teams that joined the PVL but this move was considered as the biggest one of the bunch.
The Cargo Movers became the fifth PSL franchise to jump to the PVL along with PLDT, Cignal, Sta. Lucia, and Cherry Tigo–all of which are title holders or championship contenders. https://t.co/DolXnADINL pic.twitter.com/lOyfWFlIT5
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) March 11, 2021
With five titles under its name, F2 Logistics is the most successful PSL club alongside rival Petron but the switch was more than that of competitive play.
There’s an open history between F2 Logistics head coach Ramil De Jesus and Tonyboy Liao, Sports Event Technical Director of Sports Vision, and it isn’t an amicable one.
‘LET’S FIX IT UP’
F2 Logistics coach Ramil de Jesus. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Palou also acknowledged the history between Liao and De Jesus, a misunderstanding that has caused the De La Salle Lady Spikers to skip the Shakey’s V-League and subsequently the PVL for 13 years.
“The history has got nothing to do with the league, that’s happened so long ago and it was one of the issues that I talked last night with Efren Uy,” said Palou in Filipino. “I said ‘Efren, can we fix this misunderstanding between Ramil and Tonyboy?’ and he said ‘yes, let’s fix it up.’”
“It’s about time we set things aside and get back together. It’d be bad for the league if there are parties who don’t like each other. It’d be great if we’re in a good relationship with each other.”
Nevertheless, Palou said that he wasn’t surprised F2 Logistics decided to join the PVL and he even admitted that he wished for the Cargo Movers to join the league.
“I wasn’t surprised because all the other teams joined the PVL and I was telling myself that F2 might join the PVL,” said Palou. “I was wishing for so long that all the teams are under one league.”