The Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference will proceed without the return of key Alas Pilipinas players to their respective mother clubs, marking a significant shift in the league’s competition dynamics.

National team chairman and league president Ricky Palou confirmed the development in a media briefing on Thursday.

According to Palou, the national team athletes will not only sit out the Reinforced Conference but will also skip the upcoming PVL Invitational Conference. This decision leaves a gap for clubs relying on their star players, as the tournament continues to heat up.

The Invitational Conference, set to follow the Reinforced Conference, will feature the top four teams from the ongoing tournament alongside two international guest teams.

For Choco Mucho, the absence of Sisi Rondina and Cherry Nunag continues to pose challenges, as the Flying Titans attempt to regain their footing after a series of struggles.

Chery Tiggo is also dealing with the loss of Jen Nierva and Eya Laure, Cignal has been without Dawn Catindig and Vanie Gandler, while PLDT is forced to adjust without Dell Palomata, key players in their previous campaigns.

Creamline is not immune to the impact either, with star Jema Galanza remaining unavailable.

Akari, meanwhile, will have to continue without their dynamic duo, Fifi Sharma and Faith Nisperos, further complicating their lineup strategies.

This development also postpones the highly anticipated PVL debut of first overall draft pick Thea Gagate, who was set to make her debut with ZUS Coffee, and third overall pick Julia Coronel, slated to join Galeries Tower.

Both players will now have to wait until the next season to take the court.

In the meantime, Alas Pilipinas players are expected to stay busy with a series of exhibition matches scheduled against top-tier clubs from Japan and Korea.

These international games will serve as valuable preparation for future national team competitions, while their mother clubs in the PVL must adjust to life without their star athletes for the remainder of the season.

As the Reinforced Conference progresses and teams look to fill the gaps left by their absent national players, the competition intensifies, with each club vying for a spot in the Invitational Conference. Fans can expect heightened drama as the league navigates this unexpected turn of events.