Philippine volleyball restarts with clean slate

MANILA, Philippines — A new start for Philippine volleyball.

That is how it is shaping up as all Philippine National Volleyball Federation officials heeded the call of the Philippine Olympic Committee – the sport’s caretaker – to resign and pave the way for elections set Aug. 10.

“That’s the first step and they all agreed to resign,” POC president Abraham Tolentino said during the meeting that he called for at the Solaire in Parañaque.

Among those present – 40 in all – were former PNVF chief Tonyboy Liao, the Premier Volleyball League and Spikers’ Turf’s Ricky Palou and Sherwin Malonzo, Farm Fresh and ZUS Coffee owner Frank Lao, the NCAA’s Fr. Vic Calvo, OP, ZUS coach Jerry Yee and representatives of Beach Volleyball Republic, Rebisco and other clubs, leagues and stakeholders.

Ramon Suzara, AVC president and former PNVF head, did not attend the meeting but was reportedly near the vicinity.

The group also agreed on the creation of a new 13-member PNVF board, which will include athletes’ representatives for all the leagues including the UAAP and NCAA to answer to the national team call for players availability.

It also removed the chairman’s post while adding a seat for the POC. It also made the position of secretary-general as an appointive post by whoever is voted upon as president.