PVL: PLDT says protest over controversial call ‘junked’ by league

PLDT High Speed Hitters during the PVL Reinforced Conference semifinals against Akari Chargers.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — PLDT’s protest over the controversial unsuccessful net fault challenge has been “junked” by the PVL, the team announced late Sunday evening.

The High Speed Hitters lost a heartbreaker at the hands of Akari in the knockout semifinal after the Chargers came away with a 25-22, 18-25, 22-25, 26-24, 17-15 escape on Saturday.

“We sadly share the news that the Premier Volleyball League has decided to junk our protest regarding [its] referees’ decision to not call a net touch on a crucial juncture of our match versus Akari in the semifinals,” the team wrote in a statement.

READ: Akari-Creamline PVL Finals game postponed to Enteng

PLDT expressed its disappointment after its protest, believing Ezra Madrigal committed a net fault violation when the coaching staff challenged the play midway rally with a 14-13 lead in the fifth set.

“We are yet to know what this horrible experience is trying to teach us but one thing PLDT is proud of as a team is how we are one in fighting for the integrity not just of our team but of the entirety of Philippine volleyball,” the team said. “And we cannot thank enough the fans who fought for us and with us. Your love for our favorite sport is undeniable.

“The High Speed Hitters are in the business of inspiring the next generation of athletes who will one day play in the big leagues. So to the kids watching all of this unfold, whatever adversity that comes along the way, please continue to fight. Because we will.”

READ: PVL: PLDT to file protest over controversial semis loss to Akari

PLDT will no longer play in the Invitational Conference but coach Rald Ricafort made it clear that the move is for the health of their weary players and not related to its semifinal loss to Akari marred with a controversial call.

Ricafort told the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Sunday they will play the bronze medal game against sister team Cignal amid the frustration over their denied protest and shattered championship hopes.

“Realistically, it’s hard to recover from that incident. We’ll just put forth the mindset of needing to show up (for the bronze medal game),” PLDT coach Rald Ricafort told the Inquirer on Sunday. “That’s where we are at right now—just play the game.

“Regardless of the result, we know that we fought throughout the [conference] the right way.”

READ: PVL explains no net fault in controversial Akari-PLDT endgame

After a thorough review on Sunday and a vote by the PVL board, the original decision from the game was upheld in accordance with the FIVB rulebook when the officials ruled against the challenge that allowed the Chargers to force a deuce at 14-all and eventually complete a come-from-behind win for a breakthrough PVL Finals stint.

Shortly after the game on Saturday, Commissioner Sherwin Malonzo cited the FIVB rulebook regarding contact with the net, saying that Madrigal had not committed a net fault with both her feet already on the floor and that the contact with the net was a second motion away from ball play.

He also clarified the challenge wasn’t shown on the screen and broadcast to avoid confusion, saying that both teams saw the challenge clip.