LVPI willing to settle PVF $80,000 debt

MANILA, Philippines - The Larong Volleyball ng Pilipinas, Inc., the new NSA (national sports association) for the sport, yesterday signified its intention to pay the $80,000 debt owed by the defunct Philippine Volleyball Federation to the International Volleyball Federation.

LVPI president Joey Romasanta said TV5, owned by sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan and headed by former Gilas coach Chot Reyes, will make the payment before the April 30 deadline.

Romasanta said the funds will come as part of TV5’s coverage contract in the Asian Under-23 Women’s Championship the country will host this May.

“The FIVB just wants to know if we will pay. And we told them we will,” said Romasanta. “We’re not just assuming assets, we’re also taking in the liabilities that’s why we’re making it a priority to pay the debt.”

Romasanta was reacting to the letter sent by the FIVB and the Asian Volleyball Confederation to the LVPI recently.

“The FIVB hereby recognized the LVPI under the leadership of its president, Jose A. Romasanta, as the legitimate authority to govern volleyball in the Philippines, provided the debt of $80,000 is paid to the FIVB on or before April 30, 2015,” said in a letter signed by Dr. Ary Graca from Laussanne, Switzerland.

“AVC has acknowledged that the LVPI has already responded to our four conditions except the FIVB’s debt that is guaranteed to pay within April 30, 2015,” said AVC secretary-general Shanrit Wongprasert in a separate letter.

“As the above mentioned effort of the LVPI for the development of volleyball in the Philippines, AVC is pleased to inform you that AVC has recognized the LVPI as the sole National Volleyball Federation in the Philippines,” he added.