PVL: Gerflor players’ salary paid by unnamed sportsman, says coach

Gerflor Defenders. – PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Gerflor Defenders’ financial problem is over after a well-known sportsman, who refused to be named, shouldered their delayed salaries and expressed his desire to adopt the team, according to coach Gerflor coach Sammy Acaylar.

Acaylar, who was watching the Petro Gazz-Farm Fresh match at Philsports Arena, revealed the development after the financial woes hampered his team in the ongoing Premier Volleyball League (PVL) second All-Filipino Conference.

“Someone who has a good heart and is an avid volleyball fan shouldered our salaries. That’s good. That is why my players’ morale is up and they’re more eager to play,” Acaylar told reporters in Filipino.

“It has a big impact on my player that their financial problems have been relieved. We met Sir Ricky Palou [and we discussed with him] what wasn’t paid from the start, and what still needs to be paid.”

Gerflor failure to pay the salaries of its players, along with other issues in the management of the team, recently came to light, prompting the PVL to investigate the matter.

Acaylar also said the generous sports official is interested in buying the team and strengthening the Defenders’ roster next season. No official announcement has been made.

“I know meron ng gustong mag adopt sa amin but siguro hindi pa pwedeng sabihin kasi hindi pa naman siya totally napagusapan. Basta’t meron lang sinabi sa amin na ‘oh may mag adopt sa team niyo’ so depende pa rin doon sa performance ng mga bata namin,” he said.

“I know that there’s someone who wants to adopt our team and coaching staff, but we can’t disclose the name yet because the details have not been ironed out. Someone just told me that ‘someone adopted your team’ so I guess it still depends on the performance of our players,” he said.

“I think there’s already a proposal. Most of our players are at the end of their contracts, and there are talks of strengthening our team. We have to hire new players for that. They want everything fixed.”

The Gerflor coach leaves it to the PVL to reprimand the managers, who didn’t pay their salaries.

“It’s up to the PVL. We will keep on playing and I will continue coaching them. It’s up to the PVL what they will do, I don’t have any idea about their decision,” Acaylar said.

After their financial problems were resolved, the Defenders, who are out of semis contention with a 0-8 record, are eager to finish strong in their last three games and repay the trust of the person, who helped them.