PVL President Ricky Palou is hoping Chery Tiggo Crossovers stars Jen Nierva and Eya Laure can rejoin Alas Pilipinas for the upcoming SEA V.League in Thailand.
Many fans were surprised by the exclusion of Chery Tiggo Crossovers stars Eya Laure and Jen Nierva from Alas Pilipinas in the recently concluded 2024 FIVB Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup.
Laure and Nierva had been key pieces in Alas’ impressive run in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup, which saw the Philippines grab a historic bronze medal finish.
Despite the addition of Jema Galanza and Bella Belen for the national team, Alas saw its campaign end in the knockout quarterfinals of the tournament, bowing to Vietnam in straight sets.
[ALSO READ: Jia de Guzman proud of Alas Pilipinas’ stand despite early exit in 2024 FIVB Women’s Challenger Cup]
Speaking to the media after the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft, PVL President Ricky Palou said that they are still in talks with the Crossovers about Laure and Nierva.
“We’re still talking to the management of Chery Tiggo. We’re hoping naman na they will allow the two [Laure and Nierva] to remain with the national team. Sayang din naman eh,” said Palou.
“We’re still communicating with them, nothing definite yet,” he added.
[ALSO READ: Alas Pilipinas’ Jen Nierva reflects on the time she almost quit volleyball]
Before Alas Pilipinas was established in mid-May, the PVL and the PNVF reached comprehensive agreements regarding the loan of players for national team competitions, anticipating scheduling conflicts with PVL matches.
With this in mind, Palou reaffirmed that PVL teams must loan their players to the PNVF when requested, as the upcoming pro league conference coincides with an international competition window.
Alas is set to compete in the upcoming Southeast Asian (SEA) V.League in Thailand. The league will have two legs in August, after which the players will be sent back to their mother teams.
“Kapag kinuha ng coaching staff ang players, kailangan sila sumama doon sa pool ng national team until they are released by the PNVF. This time, sabi ng PNVF by August 11 all the players will be released to the teams,” Palou explained.
The PVL president also made it clear that no sanctions will be enforced on Chery Tiggo as they look to simply explain the agreements they’ve made for the national team.
“We’re still talking to explain to them what are the agreements we came up with PNVF. In fact, all the other teams said yes. Si Chery Tiggo lang yung naiiba,” said Palou.
"I don’t think they really understood everything, so we’re trying to explain to them what happened,” he added.