PVL-PSL merger on hold

MANILA, Philippines — While admitting that there have been initial talks regarding the formation of a unified volleyball league, Sports Vision president Ricky Palou said there will be a better time to push for the idea.

“I don’t think this is the right time to discuss this. We would look insensitive to what’s happening now,” said Palou, whose group organizes the Premier Volleyball League.

“But we will get there when this (COVID-19 crisis) is all over,” he said.

Palou confirmed he had talks with Philippine Superliga chairman Philip Ella Juico, adding that “we’re working on some key issues.”

The two leagues have agreed in principle to hold a unified tournament as early as September last year, even setting a July 2020 event featuring a reinforced and all-Filipino conferences.

But all that changed in the face of the pandemic, which disrupted the staging and preparations for sports events worldwide for the rest of the year.

“Initially, the tournament was set this year but with how things are going with the coronavirus and everything, baka next year na,” said Palou.

“We are working towards a common goal of hopefully unifying volleyball and merge the PSL and PVL,” said PSL president Dr. Ian Laurel.

“As soon as the government announces that it is safe to hold sporting events again such as the PBA, or volleyball tournaments such as ours, we will get back to work and get back where we left off in our talks,” added Laurel.