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| PLDT said the PVL denied their protest regarding the controversial climax to their semifinal battle against Akari. PVL (file photo) |
MANILA--The PVL junked PLDT's protest regarding a controversial call that marred its Reinforced Conference semifinal against Akari.
In a statement late Sunday night, the High-Speed Hitters said that the league is standing by its decision not to call a net fault on the Power Chargers' Ezra Madrigal late into Set 5 of their otherwise epic duel with the MVP Group franchise leading, 14-13.
PLDT challenged the apparent net touch midway into a rally, and with the challenge unsuccessful, Akari was given a point, sending the final set into extra points.
The Power Chargers won the fifth set, 17-15, and ultimately the match, keeping their record in this conference unblemished at 10-0 and clinching their first-ever PVL finals appearance.
"We are yet to know what this horrible experience is trying to teach us, but one thing PLDT is proud of as a team is how we are one in fighting for the integrity not just of our team but of the entirety of Philippine volleyball," the High-Speed Hitters said.
PVL commissioner Sherwin Malonzo cited Article 11.3.2 of the FIVB Rules as its basis for not slapping Madrigal with a net fault.
The rule says, "Players may touch the post, ropes, or any other object outside the antennae, including the net itself, provided that it does not interfere with the play."
The league even publicized the replay of the controversial sequence, where they explained that Oly Okaro already received the ball just before Madrigal landed and touched the net.
Okaro's dig was deemed as the live play, and Madrigal's net touch, as the league officials interpreted, was not an interference.
The PVL has yet to release an official statement regarding the matter as of posting.
However, with the decision essentially declared final, the schedule for Monday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City remains as is: PLDT versus sister team Cignal for third place and Akari against Creamline in the winner-take-all final.
The only thing that could stop the matches from happening, though, is if the inclement weather brought about by tropical depression Enteng could be too much.
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