Alas Pilipinas Women. SAVA/Facebook
MANILA — PVL president Ricky Palou gave an update on Alas Pilipinas Women's availability for their respective home clubs.
Palou shared with reporters Thursday that women's national team members are now allowed to play for their PVL teams, citing PNVF president Ramon "Tats" Suzara's permission, which was relayed to the teams already.
"President Tats Suzara of PNVF released the players to the clubs, so they were allowed to play na. I think they had a meeting the other night, that's when he announced na all the national team players could go back to their clubs and play," said the PVL executive.
They were allowed to play early even though the national team season, based on the FIVB calendar, runs until October.
"The national team period is up to October 15, but wala nang laro eh. It was why hold them? So that's what we were discussing with president Tats Suzara. Sabi niya, wala nang game, so pwede nang bumalik. Why will we hold on to them if the club thinks we need them?" said Palou. "Very accommodating si president Tats Suzara."
READ: PVL: Creamline escapes Cignal in 5 for triumphant start in Invitational
As of writing, Alas Women's Alleiah Malaluan and Jen Nierva have already played for PLDT and Chery Tiggo, respectively.
Among those we could see play in the ongoing PVL Invitational are Dawn Catindig (Cignal), Vanie Gandler (Cignal), and Dell Palomata (PLDT).
With Zus Coffee joining the Invitational mix, we could also see Thea Gagate once again for the Thunderbelles.
Notably, Jia de Guzman of Creamline was not included in the team roster for this tournament, according to the PVL website.
Palou added that national team practices will still take place in preparation for the 2025 SEA Games on December.
"I think, yeah, they will be practicing. Ang usapan namin is I think that the teams, they will allow the national team players to train with the national team three times a week until the end of this tournament," Palou said.
"After that, may plano pa ata silang to train abroad but they’re looking for a schedule for when they can do that," he added.