NEW ZEALAND citizen Amy Ahomiro could not play in the Premiere Volleyball League that kicks off its Open Conference on July 1.
The BusinessMirror learned that tournament organizer Sports Vision and PVL officials decided on Tuesday night against honoring the Alien Certificate of Residence (ACR). That meant Ahomiro could no longer suit up for her current club Perlas Lady Spikers in the all-Filipino conference.
Ahomiro is a longtime Philippine resident who played for five seasons at Ateneo in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines. She won two championships with the Lady Eagles.
The rule also covers Thai Patcharee Sangmuang, who has been residing in the Philippines for three years. Sangmuang is playing for the Power Smashers in the PVL.
“The rule has been changed about foreigners holding ACR. Teams voted that it should be all-Filipino and that players should be Philippine passport holders,” PVL President Ricky Palou said.
Akari and Hapee Toothpaste, meanwhile, have signed up for the PVL, making the tournament an eight-team cast in the Open Conference that kicks off at the San Juan Arena.
Akari, the top lighting and technology firm, is linking up with Adamson University, while Hapee will be backstopped by aces from the University of the Philippines when they make their respective debuts in the country’s premier women’s volleyball league.
Jemma Galanza, formerly of Creamline, and Adamson University Coach Airess Padda will spearhead Akari’s title campaign.
Lady Maroons Issa Molde and Diane Carlos will join UP Coach Jerry Yee at Hapee as they slug it out with the league’s mainstays Pocari Sweat, Creamline, Air Force, Perlas, BaliPure and Power Smashers.
Pocari remains the marked team in the upcoming tournament with the Lady Warriors, headed by Myla Pablo and Gyzelle Sy, gunning for a fourth championship in as many stints.