Strong Group Athletics will serve as the sister team to the Farm Fresh Foxies.
The Good Samaritan enters.
Strong Group Athletics (SGA) will be entering the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), taking over the Gerflor Defenders franchise, the league announced on Saturday.
PVL President Ricky Palou especially thanked SGA owner Frank Lao for helping pay the salaries of the Defenders last year.
"This shows their strong commitment to the development and success of volleyball in the Philippines," "Palou said, according to the PVL release.
Gerflor coach Sammy Acaylar last year revealed that a "Good Samaritan" helped cover the squad's salaries.
The issue blew up last November after it was revealed that the Gerflor management was unable to pay their players, two conferences in.
The Defenders finished dead last in both. They did not get a win in their matches.
But the SGA will not be considered a new squad entirely in the PVL, as they will be seen as a "sister team" to the Foxies.
Lao and the Strong Group Athletics have been supporting the women's volleyball program of the College of Saint Benilde, which serves as the core of Farm Fresh.
The composition of SGA's squad has yet to be announced. It is also unknown whether they would keep the players from the previous Gerflor roster.
"Having a second team will lead to more opportunities for Filipino volleyball players and coaches. We believe in the potential of our athletes, and by providing additional platforms for them to showcase their talents, we are contributing to the growth of volleyball in the country," Lao said.