The PLDT High Speed Hitters will file a protest against the controversial net touch call during the 5th set of their semifinal loss to the Akari Chargers in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
The PLDT High Speed Hitters will protest the controversial call made during the intense 5th set of their semifinal match against the Akari Chargers in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Saturday, August 31.
Coach Rald Ricafort confirmed their protest plans to One Sports, noting that they plan to file the protest by tonight or tomorrow morning.
“Yes po, mag-file kami [ng protest],” Ricafort said when asked about PLDT’s possible petition.
Leading 14-13 in the deciding set, the High Speed Hitters called for a net touch challenge on Akari middle blocker Ezra Madrigal.
This challenge was later deemed unsuccessful, much to the dismay and frustration of the PLDT players and coaching staff, including Ricafort.
Citing the FIVB 3.21 casebook, the PVL explained that Madrigal had already established her position with both feet on the ground before making contact with the net.
"‘After a blocker landed securely, he turned and hit the mesh of the net between the antennae with his/her shoulder. Should this have been called a fault? No, because the action of playing the ball was complete before he/she turned, the contact with the net is not a fault,’” PVL Commissioner Sherwin Malonzo read.
[READ FURTHER: PVL explains controversial unsuccessful challenge by PLDT against Akari in Reinforced Conference semis]
But Ricafort maintained PLDT’s stance on the controversial matter.
“Nakita naman ng lahat ang nangyari. Even credible international referees nag-comment na rin. So, sa side namin magf-file lang kami ng protest letter muna then let’s see after kung paano,” said Ricafort.