PVL Open Conference kicks off in March with F2 Logistics on board

Chery Tiggo vs PLDT in the 2021 PVL Open Conference. PVL MEDIA BUREAU

MANILA, Philippines—The 2022 Premier Volleyball League Open Conference is set to open on March 16 with a new team in tow.

F2 Logistics, the defending Philippine National Volleyball Federation Champions League winner, is officially suiting up in the PVL and could mark a burgeoning rivalry with reigning titleholder Chery Tiggo.

The Cargo Movers last year pulled out of the Open Conference, citing injuries.

In support of the coming 2021 Hanoi Southeast Asian Games, the PVL Open Conference will run until April 9—more than a month before the regional tiff’s May 12 opening.

Other teams included in the coming conference are runner-up Creamline, third placer Petro Gazz, Choco Mucho, Philippine Army, PLDT Home Fibr, BaliPure, and Cignal.

PVL President Ricky Palou said the March 16 opener was decided upon by the teams.

SHORTENED CONFERENCE

F2 Logistics in the PNVF Champions League.—PNVF PHOTO

“We asked the member teams to give us their inputs and their concerns,” said Palou. “After putting all of this together, we decided that the best thing to do for us at this point in time is to move the opening to mid-March.”

“But we have to shorten our conference to make way for the training of the national team as the Philippine National Volleyball Federation is looking to bring the women’s indoor volleyball team to Brazil in mid-April for a camp in preparation for the SEA Games.”

The league will also introduce a new format wherein the nine teams will be distributed into two pools with the top four clubs advancing to the quarterfinals—meaning only one side will be eliminated after the group stages.

In case of a tie in the number of victories, the tiebreaker will be the points gained after each match—three points for a three- or four-set win; two points for the winner and one point for the loser of a five-setter; and zero points for either a three-set, four-set, or forfeit defeat.

BUBBLE VENUES

FILE––Last conference of the Premier Volleyball League in the Ilocos Norte Bubble. PHOTO FROM PVL

If teams are still tied after the points are tabulated, then the set quotient, the point quotient, and heads-up matchup, in that order, will determine the tiebreaks.

The PVL is looking at either Aquamarine Sports Complex in Lipa, Batangas or Royale Tagaytay in Alfonso, Cavite as potential venues for a bubble environment.

Games, however, could still be played in Metro Manila but it will depend if the COVID-19 situation gets better and sports will once again be allowed.

Metro Manila is still under Alert Level 3, which effectively bans sports.

“We are also looking at the possibility of holding it here in Metro Manila depending on the situation,” said Palou. “By mid-February, we will know what our alert level will be.”