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CREAMLINE’S Jia Morado-De Guzman and other PVL players under contract with member clubs can continue pursuing international careers. | Photograph COURTESY OF Denso Airybees/IG
Premier Volleyball League clubs will still be allowed to loan players for international stints even while the season is ongoing.
The PVL leaves the decision of letting their contract players see action in leagues overseas to the teams and will not hinder their pursuit of career growth and higher income.
Foreign clubs have been taking notice of Filipina volleyball players’ skills and caliber for years. With the gates of gaining exposure abroad open, it has put the country on the international map as one of the rising Asian hotbeds for marketable volleyball talents.
Unlike other local professional leagues, the PVL remains lenient with its rules citing that the practice would benefit both the players and the development of Philippine volleyball overall.
“Well, it’s up to the team owner. We don’t want to stop any player from gaining (international) experience, becoming a better player and seeking greener pastures,” PVL president Ricky Palou told DAILY TRIBUNE.
In the 2023 2nd All-Filipino Conference, eventual champion Creamline played sans two of its starters in prized setter Jia Morado-De Guzman and middle blocker Ced Domingo.
The Cool Smashers gave the greenlight for De Guzman to take her act to the Denso Airybees in the Japan V.League while Domingo flew to Thailand to don the Nakhon Ratchasima jersey.
Other players currently playing overseas are Jaja Santiago with JT Marvelous in Japan and Petro Gazz’s MJ Phillips and setter Iris Tolenada in South Korea.
Creamline skipper Alyssa Valdez, Dindin Santiago-Manabat of Akari as well as Chery Tiggo’s Mylene Paat have also played abroad before.
The PVL is drafting a set of new rules especially with its planned rookie draft, salary cap, and other safeguards to ensure a level competitive field.
But Palou assured players that the league will support their decision to take their talents abroad given they get the approval of clubs they are under contract with.
“If a team allows its player to play abroad, it’s up to them. Same as if a team refuses to let its player go because she’s under contract (with them) it’s up to the team really,” the PVL official said.