"Mga mars, 'di pa rin kami sumusweldo!"
The Premier Volleyball League on Thursday morning announced they have started investigating the issue concerning the Gerflor Defenders and their players.
This comes after posts from Reddit circulated on Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter), asking for legal aid since players have not been paid.
"Rest assured, we are committed to conducting a thorough and fair inquiry into the matter, ensuring that both the team's representatives and the players involved will have an opportunity to be heard," the PVL said in a statement.
"We take these matters seriously and will take all necessary steps to ensure the integrity and fairness of our league."
The issue was raised six days ago on anonymous forum Reddit, as one user posted a question on the subreddit r/LawPH, asking for legal advice. The user explained they were part of a new team that started this April and continues to play this year.
"Mga mars, 'di pa rin kami sumusweldo! Pero may kontrata kami," the user claimed. "Lagi lang kaming napapangakuan na next week daw dadating na 'yung cheque from sponsors."
"'Di sila on time magpasahod, may gana pa sila manira sa amin. One and a half month na 'yung iba sa amin na walang sweldo. Please help, what can we do? Sasabihin ba namin sa mismong PVL or GAB (Games and Amusements Board) o antayin muna namin matapos isang conference?"
The user further claimed in a comment that they were pointing fingers regarding the management, and not the coaches and the trainers.
"Ni ultimong recovery meal at water, mga players at coaches pinapa-asikaso dahil wala kaming utility. Imbis na laro at coaching lang inaasikaso ng bawat isa, kami na rin pumupuna sa job description ng ibang managers."
The user then shared an update a few days later on subreddit r/ChikaPH.
"Sa barangay hall court kami nagpa-practice... nasaan ang budgetttt???!!! Medyo na-alarm sila kaya 'yung tubig on time na at recovery food na (Jollibee) hihi sarap," they wrote.
The user also shared how they trained at night from 6 to 9 p.m. in a "shady" place and appealed for aid.
"Hindi kami sikat pero sana naman itrato naman kami nang naaayon sa dinadala naming pangalan. Hindi na nga kami sumu-sweldo, ganito pa trato sa 'min," they added.
The user made it clear that they were talking about the Gerflor Defenders, after they spoke of facing the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers on Thursday.
Former volleyball player Mela Tunay also spoke out on social media regarding non-payment allegations on Wednesday night following the spread of the posts, sharing her own experiences with a specific official.
RELATED STORY: Mela Tunay blasts 'senior budol' on alleged non-payment of players, urges PVL, GAB to look into issue
"For a team na PUNO NG LOGOS NG SPONSORS ang jersey, nasaan ang budget for the players?" She asked. "I hope the PVL and GAB look into them, (because) right before I retired, (me) and my former teammates were also victimized by THAT person. At madami na talaga 'yan nabiktima!"
The Gerflor Defenders started competing during the previous Invitational Conference but have yet to win a match. Only two players remained with the team from that conference, and the current squad is now helmed by Sammy Acaylar.
As of this writing, the Defenders are competing against the Cargo Movers at the PhilSports Arena.
(This is a developing story)
(CF)