DON'T UNDERESTIMATE LVPI

While it is true that Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF) scored a major victory at the recently-held 35th FIVB World Congress, PVF still has to pass through the eye of a needle to claim complete victory. The FIVB recommendation to conduct an investigation, I believe, is a mere ploy to give Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc. (LVPI) more time to defend its claim as the national federation for volleyball in the Philippines. As seen from the General Assembly, FIVB and IOC officials who are friends with POC and LVPI pushed for the creation of an investigative body that will decide the case. Clearly, the influence and power of POC and LVPI were clearly displayed during the FIVB General Assembly

When FIVB starts its investigation, stakeholders would certainly be interviewed. These stakeholders include players and coaches. I doubt whether these players and coaches will favor PVF. After all, they earn and feed their families through the leagues conducted by PSL and Shakeys VLeague which are members of LVPI. It is but natural for these players and coaches to side with an organization that sustains them.

An investigation too reduces the number to people who will decide on the PVF case. PVF managed to pull an upset at the General Assembly because 198 member nations were there to decide whether the expulsion of PVF from FIVB was fair or not. Now, with the planned investigation, FIVB officials who will most probably go to Manila to investigate will number three at the most. The less number of people who will do the investigation and decide makes it possible for misjudgment to occur at a higher possibility.

What PVF must do now is to present new evidences that will once and for all kill LVPI. There are certainly several points that are available for PVF to focus on. I just hope PVF realizes all of them and cleverly knows how to present them in an orderly, detailed and convincing manner.