PVL apologizes for air conditioning breakdown at Philsports Arena

Choco Mucho bench during its game against F2 Logistics in the PVL Invitational Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — The Premier Volleyball League apologized for the extremely humid conditions during the F2 Logistics-Choco Mucho match in the Invitational Conference on Tuesday evening in front of 7,067 fans at Philsports Arena.

Both teams battled the heat as well as the spectators, who were forced to use hand fans after the air-conditioning system inside the venue bogged down due to the high number of people inside. 

READ: PVL’s statement on the breakdown of air-conditioning system at Philsports Arena due to the high number of spectators. #PVL2023 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/Zq23AqKArG

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 11, 2023

“We understand the discomfort this may have caused and assure you that the Philippine Sports Commission is taking immediate action to address the issue,” the PVL wrote hours after the final game of its quadruple-header.

“PSC executive director Atty. Guillermo Iroy has already ordered the replacement of chiller no. 3 to ensure a more comfortable environment for the next game days. Thank you for your understanding and patience.”

Des Cheng was rushed to the nearest hospital after she was stretchered off the court late in the fourth set due to heat exhaustion but Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin and her teammate Sisi Rondina said that her body temperature has stabilized.

F2 Logistics celebrate tough five-set win over Choco Mucho in the PVL Invitational Conference. –MARLO CUETO

Cherry Nunag suffered from cramps in the fifth set as the Cargo Movers pulled off an amazing come-from-behind 21-25, 25-17, 17-25, 25-21, 18-16 win over the Flying Titans.

The players of F2 Logistics and Choco Mucho said they understood the sweltering conditions during their thrilling five-set

Rondina, who erupted for 28 points in a nearly three-hour match, refused to use the sweltering conditions as an excuse.

“We’re not going to reason out. We’re not going to use the heat as a reason, because that’s something we have to manage as players,” she said in Filipino. “F2 really worked hard for it and we came up short. We understand the situation because there were really a lot of fans, so the cooling of the airconditiong could’ve been an issue.”

https://www.facebook.com/inquirersports/videos/1059771132069137/

Kianna Dy, who had 24 points to lead the Cargo Movers, credited their conditioning coach for preparing them in that kind of game condition.

“Kudos to our conditioning coach, we really prepared for this tournament, and not only in conditioning. We also take supplements. Everything is a team effort,” Dy said.

Jolina Dela Cruz agreed with her teammate, saying they are used to playing in humid conditions as their training venue doesn’t have an exhaust fan.

“We’re used to it. Our training gym doesn’t have an exhaust fan,” she said.

The PVL will play at Philsports until the end of the midseason tournament on July 30.