Pandemic forces PVL club Perlas Spikers to take leave of absence

FILE –– Perlas Spikers during the 2021 PVL Open Conference. PVL MEDIA BUREAU

MANILA, Philippines—Citing the COVID-19 pandemic, the Perlas Spikers have pulled out of the upcoming Premier Volleyball League conference.

Perlas became the second club in two days to withdraw after the Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors.

“We regret to inform everyone that with the ongoing pandemic, the Perlas management has decided to take a leave of absence in the upcoming PVL tournament,” the club announced Tuesday.

Thank you sa pag laban kasama ng Perlas Spikers!

Good luck to all participating teams!

See you again soon. 🤍🖤 #AgreeAgree #YouAlreadyKnow #ToughLikeAPEARLpaRin #PearlPower #PerlasPride pic.twitter.com/EjUUnLiGll

— Perlas Spikers (@PerlasSpikers) January 11, 2022

“We wish the tournament well and we continue to support the growth of Philippine volleyball.”

Perlas finished ninth in the Open Conference last August, which marked the league’s first tournament as a professional.

The PVL is targeting a February opening for its 2022 season, which will be held in a bubble set-up anew.