PVL clarifies eligibility of Jaja Santiago, Jia De Guzman after overseas stints

MANILA, Philippines – The Premier Volleyball League (PVL) clarified the eligibility of former players Jaja Santiago and Jia Morado-De Guzman as they recently ended their respective stints in the Japan V. League.

Through league commissioner Sherwin Malonzo, the PVL concluded that only Santiago will be able to rejoin her team, the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, owing to the fact that she was listed in the team’s initial 20-woman lineup.

“‘Yung 20 slots na ‘yun kasi must be filled up, or rather before the start of the tournament, you need to submit your lineup kasi. Your team composition, maximum of 20 players.” Malonzo told the media on Thursday. 

“Of the 20 players, each match you assign the 14 who will play. So in the case of Jaja, she’s part of the 20. Jia is not, so ‘yun ‘yung problema.”

De Guzman’s team, the Creamline Cool Smashers, actually touched on the prospect of getting her back for the conference. But they said they were still in the dark about it.

“Wala pa talaga akong balita. So hindi ko masasagot. As in wala pa talaga,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses on De Guzman possibly returning to their lineup.

Currently, the Cool Smashers have 19 players in their lineup, meaning they could’ve included the decorated setter but chose not to at the beginning of the conference. As it stands, Creamline can only include De Guzman in their lineup for the next conference.

Per Malonzo, teams can delist or remove a player, but cannot add once the tournament is already ongoing.

“You can delist a player, remove a player, but you cannot add or change. ‘Yun ‘yung rule natin per conference. Next conference, pwede naman magpalit kasi each team can submit up to 20 players,” he said. 

“Sa haba ng liga natin, it’s up to the teams to balance who to play during the months ng tournament natin para ‘di naman bugbog ‘yung players. Ganun ‘yung supposed na concept kaya 20 ‘yung nasa roster,” he continued.

The commissioner also clarified that Santiago can reinforce the Crossovers any time the team wants to activate her. There are no timing limitations since the middle blocker is part of the 20-member lineup.

“So in the case of Jaja, nasa lineup siya so once she’s present, she can be used. Wala naman tayong rule against ‘ligang labas.’ Pero technically, ‘di naman siya ligang labas eh. She was released by Chery (Tiggo) for that particular tournament,” said Malonzo.

In their most recent V. League stints, Santiago’s JT Marvelous finished runner-up in the tournament, while De Guzman’s Denso Airybees ended up at fifth place.