PVL makes tweaks in time for All-Filipino Conference

Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses talks to his players during a timeout.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — The Premier Volleyball League will implement one technical timeout and one regular timeout for coaches each set in the season-ending All-Filipino Conference which starts Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Newly-appointed Competition Director Sherwin Malonzo on Wednesday bared the changes in the second All-Filipino this year to reduce the length of the games, which will continue to implement the video challenge system.

From two technical breaks and two regular timeouts for coaches per set in the past, the league will allow only one timeout per coach and a technical timeout when the score reaches 13 starting this conference.

“Since the introduction of the video challenge, the games got longer, especially when the teams reach five sets. We’re gonna have one technical timeout this coming conference so the first team who reaches 13 [points]. It may last for as short as one minute or as long as two minutes, depending on the request of Cignal,” said Malonzo in Filipino during the press conference at Discovery Suites on Wednesday.

The coaches are now allowed to approach their players when a challenge is called. From changing courts every set, the teams will only change sides once in the match after the second set, regardless of how many frames will be played.

“We have one regular timeout, a 30-second timeout for each set. The video challenge is gonna be the same, two per set. The next change is the coaches can now talk to the players during video challenges,” Malonzo said. “Change court is gonna be once, it’s gonna be after the second set. Each set, except for the second to third set, still has a three-minute break but when we change court on the second set going towards the third set, it’s going to be a five-minute break just to give enough time to the coaches to give instructions also.”

The clash of sister teams with Creamline taking on Choco Mucho and PLDT battling Cignal highlight the All-Filipino opener.

Creamline defends its crown without Japan V.League import and setter Jia De Guzman against Choco Mucho, which won bronze in the VTV Cup bronze last August, at 7 p.m.

PLDT and Cignal clash at 5 p.m., while the rebuilding Gerflor welcomes the new PVL team, Nxled at 3 p.m.

“We are incredibly proud to present the biggest PVL tournament yet, featuring 12 teams,” said PVL and Sports Vision president Ricky Palou. “This season’s All-Filipino Conference is a testament to the league’s continuous growth and the unwavering support of our fans. We are dedicated to providing the highest level of volleyball competition in the country and this tournament will undoubtedly deliver on that promise.”

The 12 teams will clash in a single round-robin elimination with the top four advancing to the best-of-three semifinals series. The finals will be played in a race-to-two-wins format as well as the bronze series.

The PVL will also hold games in Batangas, Antipolo, Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Candon, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, and Cagayan de Oro in the elimination round.