MANILA – Premier Volleyball League President Ricky Palou doubts the league will be affected by the recent suspension of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation.
Palou, who also sits on the PNVF Board as Treasurer, said he is still in the dark about the details regarding the suspension.
"About PNVF, I only know what you guys read on social media because I only arrived today," he said on the sidelines of the 2026 PVL Press Corps Awards Night on Saturday.
FIVB suspends PNVF for 'serious governance concerns,' alleged violations of Code of Ethics
"Kasi wala naman, no inkling ako, so sabi ko totoo kaya ito?" Palou added.
As the league prepares for the next conference, Palou said the PNVF suspension will hardly affect the PVL's activities.
The league just wrapped up the 2026 All-Filipino Conference last April.
"I don't think so. Wala naman siguro diba? I don't know even if the suspension holds. I'll find out," he shared.
Ahead of the next PVL conference, Palou hinted at the possibility of two new teams joining the fray.
"Meron, meron. They told me not to, I'm not at liberty to announced kung sino. Pero meron, there are two of them actually. Basta electric, alam ko power company," he said.
After FIVB, POC also set to suspend embattled PNVF
"Di pa [next conference]. Pinapag-aaralan din nila. They're asking questions, they want to join, what are the requirements," Palou added.
Palou said he will be meeting with PNVF President Tonyboy Liao as soon as possible to find out the details on the suspension.
The PNVF suspension came over a week before the Philippines will host the 2026 AVC Women's Cup in Candon City, Ilocos Sur, from June 6 to 14.
"I think the one in Candon, tuloy na yun diba? I think it's too late to cancel. But I don't know, wala pa kaming ano. We reached out to the PSC [Philippine Sports Commission] and other agencies concerned," Palou said.
The FIVB on Friday announced the suspension of the PNVF with immediate effect for "serious governance concerns" and "multiple purported violations of the FIVB Code of Ethics."
An independent ethics panel of the body is investigating the alleged violations.
FIVB installed an ad hoc committee to "oversee the affairs" of PNVF in the meantime.
For its part, the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) said on Saturday it is also expected to suspend the PNVF during its General Assembly in June.
POC said it will abide by the international federation's decision to suspend PNVF.
In a statement on Sunday morning, the PNVF acknowledged the FIVB's decision and said it "is carefully reviewing its implications with the appropriate advisers and stakeholders."
While the PNVF did not specify its next steps, it said that the federation's immediate priority "is to serve the Filipino athlete, preserve the country's participation in international volleyball, and ensure continuinty for the sport."
"The Federation respects the important roles of FIVB, PSC, POC, and all relevant institutions and Philippine and international sport, and is prepared to engage constructively through the proper channels," it added.
For the meantime, the federation will first seek a "full understanding" of the issues and its operational implications for Philippine volleyball.