PVL welcomes two new teams with ‘long term’ commitment; Army skips Invitationals

MANILA, Philippines — Gerflor and Farm Fresh are the newest professional teams to join the Premier Volleyball League as both clubs will make their debut in the 2023 Invitational Conference on June 29.

PVL president Ricky Palou bared that the two new teams will enter the professional volleyball scene starting in the midseason tournament to push the count of participating squads to 10. Army is skipping the conference due to a lack of players undergoing military training.

Palou added that Gerflor and Farm Fresh are in for the long haul.

“Both are confirmed to play in our Invitational Conference and are committed to stay for the long term,” the Sports Vision chief told Inquirer Sports.

Gerflor will be under former Cignal coach and Nazareth School boys volleyball tactician Edgar Barroga, while two-time NCAA champion coach Jerry Yee of College of Saint Benilde, who also handles Adamson Lady Falcons in the UAAP, will call the shots for Farm Fresh.

Both teams have yet to reveal their respective rosters.

GROUPINGS

PVL tournament director Tonyboy Liao said the 10 teams will be divided into two groups with defending champion Creamline headlining Pool A with PLDT, Chery Tiggo, Akari, and Gerflor.

Pool B is composed of F2 Logistics, Petro Gazz, Cignal, Choco Mucho, and Farm Fresh.

The top two teams of each group will advance to the semifinals and play another round-robin with guest teams from Japan and Australia.

The best two clubs of the semis round will clash in a knockout championship game, while the third and fourth seed will collide for the bronze medal.

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