Alas Pilipinas players released early by PNVF to rejoin PVL Clubs

Alas Pilipinas Women players were granted early release by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) to rejoin their mother clubs in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).

According to PNVF chairman for national teams and PVL president Ricky Palou, the national team players are not scheduled for any immediate tournaments, which allowed them to return to their clubs.

“President Tats Suzara of the PNVF released the players to their clubs, so they were allowed to play. I think they had a meeting the other night, and that’s when he announced that all the national team players could return to their clubs,” Palou said on Thursday, according to an update by the league.

“The national team period officially runs until October 15, but there are no more games. Why hold them back? That was our discussion with President Tats Suzara. He said, since there are no games, the players can go back. Why keep them if the clubs need them? President Suzara is very accommodating,” he added.

Alleiah Malaluan of PLDT and Jen Nierva of Chery Tiggo played on Thursday, while Vanie Gandler and Dawn Catindig sat out Cignal's game. Creamline's Jia De Guzman, meanwhile, was not part of the Invitational Conference roster.

Meanwhile, Mars Alba, Justine Jazareno, and Fifi Sharma (Akari); Tia Andaya and Maddie Madayag (Choco Mucho); Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips (Petro Gazz); Julia Coronel (Galeries Tower); and Thea Gagate (ZUS Coffee) were also allowed to join their clubs for the ongoing Invitational Conference.

PLDT’s Dell Palomata and Capital1's Bella Belen and Leila Cruz are also part of the released pool.

Despite their release, Palou said it was agreed that the players will still continue training with Alas.

“So the plan is that until the Southeast Asian Games, and until our Reinforced Conference ends at the end of November, the players will continue practicing with the national team three times a week. After the Reinforced Conference, they will go straight into national team practices,” he said.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News