TIME FOR PVF AND THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL TEAMS

courtesy of sports.inquirer.net

FIVB and AVC name and list PVF as the national federation for the Philippines in their respective websites. The listings confirm that PVFis the federation that has the right to assemble and send teams to international tournaments and function as the governing body for Philippine volleyball.

But the possibility of PVF not being able to send teams to international tournaments remain high as POC has yet to officially reinstate PVF as a member. The deadline to submit entires to AVC events is January 15, 2020. Failure of POC to reinstate PVF before the deadline may disqualify the entries of PVF. Thus, we may very well see the 30th SEA Games silver medalist Philippine Men's Volleyball Team blocked from participating in any AVC tournament for 2020.

The problem now really lies with POC. POC conveniently ignores the fact that the decision of the FIVB General Assembly is not merely a vote of acceptance. The vote is a repudiation of the corruption that POC shamelessly displayed before FIVB. It is a vote to correct an injustice. It is a vote that effectively lifts the suspension of PVF in FIVB. It is a vote to give back to PVF all the rights of an FIVB and AVC member. 

It took POC, under Peping Cojuangco, merely seven days to remove PVF as a member. It is only fair then for POC, under Bambol Tolentino, to reinstate PVF with the same amount of time. Not only for the sake of PVF but the Philippine volleyball teams which badly need to improve and become world-class through international exposure.

IT IS PVF OVER LVPI WITH FINALITY

coirtesy of dugout.ph

FIVB listed and named Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF) as the national federation for the Philippines in its website last December 11, 2019. With that. Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc. (LVPI) is effectively removed from FIVB and PVF is publicly declared as the official member of the world-governing body for volleyball.

While LVPI still shamelessly pretends to be the national federation for volleyball, the fact remains that all of its actions and undertakings remain unsanctioned by FIVB. At this point in time, LVPI will be unable to prove its affiliation, in any way, to FIVB. LVPI merely has its Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) membership to give its existence a semblance of legitimacy. But only national federations recognized by their respective international federations can be considered as national federations according to the POC, IOC OCA FIVB, AVC and PSC Constitutions making LVPI's claim of legitimacy seriously flawed. PVF. on the other hand, has the 36th FIVB World Congress Minutes and Appendices to prove its legitimacy as a national federation. The FIVB website listing further adds validity to PVF's claim of legitimacy. Thus, the controversy between LVPI and PVF regarding their respective claims to legitimacy is resolved with certainty and finality. It is definitely PVF over LVPI for Philippine volleyball.

The POC Membership Committee started work to finally remove LVPI and reinstate PVF in POC. The work is expected to be finished before the year ends to give POC and for that matter, PVF, a fresh start in 2020.

The journey for reinstatement for PVF was extremely difficult. But with the help of FIVB member-nations and a few independent POC members, the journey has come to a victorious end.

Mabuhay and PVF.

LOSING FAITH IN POC OFFICIALS

courtesy of en.wikipedia.org

What is currently happening in Philippine volleyball is truly an eye-opener for me as far as the nature of POC officials is concerned. While I do know that POC officials are mostly corrupt, the latest episode in Philippine volleyball shows just how corrupt to the bone some POC officials truly are.

Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF) remains suspended from FIVB because POC refuses to recognize PVF as the one and only FIVB member. To this day, POC has not given any reason why it refuses to recognize PVF. Despite the emergence of the 36th FIVB Congress Minutes and Appendices where it says that PVF remains the true member of FIVB and Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc.(LVPI) is not affiliated to FIVB in any manner, POC remains stubborn in its stand of disenfranchising PVF and upholding LVPI.

The participation of LVPI in the 30th SEA Games shows just how shameless POC as it desperately stands by its decision not to recognize PVF and instead uphold LVPI. POC knows that LVPI is not allowed to participate in the biennial meet since LVPI is not a member of FIVB and AVC. All the eleven countries participating in the volleyball events know that LVPI is not a member of AVC. LVPI itself knows that it is not a member of AVC as well and has no business participating in the SEA Games.

Being the host country, it is imperative for the Philippines to be the first to observe rules and regulations for the Games. Sadly, the Philippines fails in this regard as POC chooses to turn a blind eye on justice and truth.

Shame on POC. Shame on the Philippines.

GOODBYE LVPI ?

Mahigit apat na taon nang namamayagpag ang Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Incorporated (LVPI) bilang National Sports Association (NSA) sa volleyball sa bansa. Bumuo at nagpadala ito ng mga pambansang koponan sa iba't-ibang mahahalagang torneo. Sa tulong ng Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), nanatiling NSA ang LVPI mula 2015 hanggang sa kasalukuyan.

Subalit sa paglabas ng 36th FIVB World Congress Minutes and Appendices, maliwanag na tapos na ang mga araw ng pamamayagpag ng LVPI. Batay sa nasabing dokumento, mismong ang FIVB ang nagsasabi at nagdedeklara na Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF) ang miyembro at wala nang kaugnayan pa ang LVPI sa FIVB. Sa deklarasyon ito, nangangahulugan na wala ng karapatan ang LVPI na bumuo at magpadala ng pambansang koponan sa ano mang torneo.

Sakaling magmatigas ang POC at patuloy pa rin nitong kilalanin ang LVPI at mismong LVPI ang manindigan na ito ang NSA sa volleyball, nanganganib na di makapaglaro ang mga koponan ng LVPI sa mahaba-habang panahon. Ang maari lamang lumahok na koponan ng bansa ay yung binuo ng PVF dahil ito ang miyembro ng FIVB. Sa ganitong sitwasyon, ang mga atleta at coaches ang higit na apektado.

Marahil, panahon na para tanggapin ng LVPI na tapos na ang mga araw ng panunungkulan nito bilang isang NSA. Alang-alang sa mga atleta, coaches at bansa, magparaya na sana ang LVPI. Sa ganitong paraan, makikita ng lahat na ang lubusang kapakanan ng mga atleta, coaches at bansa ang tunay na pinahahalagahan nito.

THE 36TH FIVB WORLD CONGRESS MINUTES AND ITS IMPACT TO PHILIPPINE VOLLEYBALL

For almost a year, the 36th FIVB World Congress Minutes was kept a secret and away from public scrutiny, particularly the Filipino volleyball community. And for understandable reasons. The minutes reveal  several important facts that adversely affect FIVB, AVC, POC and LVPI.

1. The minutes categorically state that PVF is not excluded from FIVB and that LVPI is not affiliated to the world-governing body for volleyball. These clearly confirm that it is PVF that is recognized by FIVB and must be the National Federation for volleyball in the Philippines. Not LVPI.

2. LVPI cannot remain provisionally recognized anymore by FIVB as the FIVB General Assembly voted to keep PVF as the one and only true member of FIVB for the Philippines. There can only be one member to FIVB per country as per FIVB Constitution. LVPI likewise cannot form and send teams to AVC and FIVB events as it is not affiliated to FIVB.

3. By virtue of what the minutes declare, POC  does not have a choice but to recognize and reinstate PVF. POC, according to its own Constitution, must recognize and affirm the institution that is recognized by its International Federation. It cannot recognize an institution that is not affiliated to its International Federation. Thus, POC must recognize PVF and not LVPI.

4. The FIVB decision to keep PVF and exclude LVPI took effect November 2018. But FIVB BA cleverly prevented any FIVB official document from leaking out to reveal this very important fact. Thus, FIVB BA, POC and LVPI were able to do what they please without the public knowing the real deal. Only now that the minutes came out that people realize the injustice perpetrated by the very institutions tasked to protect and serve the sport well.

The unexpected emergence of the 36th FIVB World Congress Minutes truly clarify several important points that FIVB BA, AVC, POC and LVPI obviously want to remain unclear. The minutes and its clarifications hopefully will serve the bigger purpose of truth and justice not only to PVF but to the Filipino athletes as well as people in general.

TEDDY TEO ZI HAO: THE BEST STUDENT - ATHLETE THAT SINGAPORE HAS TO OFFER

courtesy of VAS

Teddy Theo Zi Hao, at 21 years old, is the current team captain of the Singapore Men's National Volleyball Team. The Mechanical Engineering student of National University of Singapore (NUS) is in Manila with the entire team for a series of games in preparation to the 30th SEA Games which will be held in December.

In an exclusive interview, Teddy expresses his sentiments as a top student-athlete from Singapore. Here are his revelations.

1. When did you start playing volleyball?
I started playing in primary school at eight years old. In Singapore, students are required to have a co-curricular activity. I got into volleyball because I could receive the ball well.

2. How did you become a part of the national team?
A coach saw me playing at a local tournament.

3. What do you find difficult in being a student-athlete?
In Singapore, studies come first. We spend 8-10 hours in school. After that, we train for 3 hours. It is hard to do well in school and training.

4. How do you find Coach Dennis Janzen who is a highly successful American volleyball coach?
He is amazing. He was able to get the young players to join the team. To see volleyball from an American coach is an eye-opener for the team.

5. What are your expectations for the 30th SEA Games in Manila?
As of now, our goal is to get exposure and experience as much as possible. Our team is very young. I am the oldest at 21. As much as we want a podium finish in this year's SEA Games, our goal is to do well 2-3 years from now.

6. What does the team need right now for it to do well in all its tournaments?
We definitely need exposure overseas. We must compete with foreign teams to improve our game. Even if we lose, we learn. And that is what is important for us right now.

7. Do you have plans of becoming a professional volleyball player?
If the opportunity is there, I will definitely take it. But as of now, it is all about studies and playing for Singapore.

8. What advice can you give young kids who dream of becoming a volleyball player like you and represent their country?
I think it is important to be committed, focused and humble. Listen to the advice of people who know the sport so you can improve your game.

NA-TAP NG TATAP ANG ISANG TRO

Nagtala ng unang panalo ang Table Tennis Association of the Philippines (TATAP) sa kampanya nitong makabalik bilang isang National Sports Association (NSA).

Naglabas ng Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) ang Gensan Regional Trial Court Branch 37 nitong September 2, 2019 na nagpapatigil sa Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) sa pagkilala sa Philippine Table Tennis Federation (PTTF) bilang NSA para sa table tennis. Ang TRO ay nagbabawal rin sa PTTF na kumilos bilang isang NSA.

Matatandaan na ang gulo sa pagitan ng TATAP at PTTF ay nagsimula pa noong 2012 kung saan itinalaga ni dating POC President Jose Cojuangco Jr. si Ledesma bilang TATAP president. Noong 2016, tinatag ni Ledesma ang PTTF na siyang kinilala ni Cojuangco bilang bagong NSA sa table tennis. Biglang natanggal ang TATAP bilang NSA noong 2016 at patuloy na di kinikila ng pamunuan ng POC hanggang sa kasalukuyan.

Ayon kay POC President Bambol Tolentino. susunod ang POC sa desisyon ng korte. Isasangguni rin ni Tolentino sa POC Executive Board kung ano ang magiging hakbang ng POC kaugnay sa TRO. 

Nakatakda ang hearing para sa injunction sa September 9, 2019.