The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) is in the process of facilitating the transfer of federations for MJ Phillips and Savi Davison, aiming to strengthen the women's national volleyball team.
The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) is in the process of facilitating the transfer of federations for Petro Gazz middle blocker MJ Phillips and PLDT ace Savi Davison, with the goal of having them--along with Brooke Van Sickle--eventually suit up for the women's national team.
PNVF Vice President Ricky Palou, who also serves as the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) President, confirmed the development to One Sports.
“They’re Filipinas, they carry Philippine passports, ‘di ba? In fact, we’re looking at including them in the national team,” Palou said.
Palou said the local federation has initiated the necessary steps to secure the transfer of Phillips from the U.S. federation, and Davison from the Canadian federation to the Philippine volleyball program.
This tedious process involves coordinating with the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) to ensure a smooth transition.
Phillips comes from California, but her mother hails from Zambales. Meanwhile, Davison has shared how her comfort food has been sinigang--a dish her mom and lola has made for the Filipina-Canadian when she was little.
Aside from the two prominent players, Filipina-American Brooke Van Sickle of Petro Gazz is also undergoing the process. She confirmed the decision to One Sports on Thursday, May 9.
Van Sickle grew up in Hawaii, but her mother hails from San Emilio, Ilocos Sur.
[RELATED: Brooke Van Sickle expresses desire to play for Philippine national team, confirms plan of changing federation]
“We’re working on the documentation and getting clearance from FIVB for them to be a part of the national team. Because right now, they are Filipinas, they are Filipino citizens but they belong to – like Davison belongs to the Canadian federation, and Van Sickle and Phillips belong to the U.S. Federation,” Palou noted.
“We’re looking to see whether we can have them transfer from their federations to the Philippine federation. If that happens, we will include them in the pool of the national team.”
For now, the Premier Volleyball League is coordinating with Philippine women’s national volleyball team head coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito to finalize the 20-player pool for the upcoming AVC Challenge Cup.
[ALSO READ: Jorge De Brito to finalize PVL-backed Philippine women’s volleyball pool ahead for AVC Challenge Cup]