PVL: Ricky Palou says reported Akari-Nxled trade ‘not allowed’
FILE–PVL president Ricky Palou. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net
MANILA, Philippines — PVL president Ricky Palou reiterated that the trades between sister teams will no longer be allowed in the league amid the transfer reports between players of Akari and Nxled.
Inquirer Sports on Wednesday broke the news that multiple sources confirmed that coach and Director of Volleyball Operations for Akari and Nxled Taka Minowa is set to take his act to Akari with selected players from the Chameleons, who will then receive players from the Chargers.
“That’s not allowed. We told everybody starting this season no trades and no transfers among sister teams. We will stick to that,” said Palou after the unveiling of Alas Pilipinas on Wednesday at TV5 Media Center.
READ: Sister teams Akari, Nxled trade coaches, players–sources
Sources said that Ivy Lacsina, Kamille Cal, Cams Victoria, and Dani Ravena are headed to Akari with Minowa while Nxled is set to receive Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Bang Pineda, Trisha Genesis, Roselle Baliton, and Jaja Maraguinot.Raffy Mosuela will handle the Chameleons as both coaching staff will also switch except for Akari’s Rodel Canino and Tina Salak.
Palou said that PVL has prohibited the trades between sister teams at the start of the 2024 season when former Choco Mucho players Bea De Leon and Denden Lazaro-Revilla transferred to sister team Creamline.
“Hindi papayagan kasi otherwise a magpapalitan pag may nakuhang magalng na player bigay mo dito sa sister team. What’s the point diba?” he said.
READ: PVL: Fifi Sharma, Ced Domingo power Akari romp of Nxled
In a report from Inquirer Sports in January, Palou said the new rules on the trade were supposed to take effect in June at the same time as the institution of the first PVL Draft.
However, Palou said Wednesday that despite without a written rule teams have already been informed during a league meeting.
“No written rules yet, but we mentioned this to all the team managers in our meeting,” Palou said. “I have received some calls complaining about other sister teams moving their players to sister teams.”
The Sports Vision president said Akari has yet to inform the league of the player trade but he is aware of the transactions between the Chargers and Chameleons.
“Wala silang sinasabi. But I saw that also I think one of their players is wearing the jacket of the sister team so I was thinking na may usapan na magpapalit sila pero sabi ko it’s not allowed,” Palou said.
Inquirer Sports has sought Akari management for comments but it has yet to respond as of posting time.
Palou said the league is already finalizing the draft rules, eyeing to stage the first-ever PVL Rookie Draft in June or July.
“They’re finalizing the draft. Sabi ko kay commissioner Sherwin [Malonzo] and everyone’s working on it bilisan nila kasi the teams are waiting for it already they want to know the guidelines. Hopefully by this week matapos na nila lahat yan,” he said.