Alohi Robins-Hardy is now unlikely to suit up for the Farm Fresh Foxies in the upcoming 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference as the PVL stands its ground with league regulations.
The PVL has upheld its regulations that Fil-Am setter Alohi Robins-Hardy will have to enter the annual draft before she can suit up in the league.
According to PVL commissioner Sherwin Malonzo, who is also the chairman of the PVL Control Committee, Robins-Hardy will have to undergo the draft process as she was not part of any team from 2021 until the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference.
“Alohi is a good addition to our league. She’s a good player but because of the regulations that we created earlier this year and all the teams know about it naman eh,” Malonzo said during the PVL pre-season press conference held at Novotel Cubao on Monday, Nov. 4.
“In her case kasi, hindi siya na-lineup eh. I think there was an attempt on Cignal’s part back then, but I’m not sure about that. Since hindi siya na-lineup, she has to go through the draft process, where she needs to submit certain documents,” he added.
Robins-Hardy recently signed with Farm Fresh Foxies for the upcoming 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference, marking her return to the Philippines after three years.
Another concern for the Robins-Hardy will be her nationality, needing to prove her Filipino heritage should she enter the draft.
However, it’s worth noting that the 6-foot-2 setter played for the Philippines during the 2019 ASEAN Grand Prix Leg.
“‘Yun siyempre, she needs to work on it kung Filipino siya talaga. She needs to get at the very least a Philippine passport,” Malonzo explained. “Any document that proves her Filipino heritage but the passport ‘yung best proof na Pinay siya.”
Malonzo also mentioned that the league has discussed this issue with Farm Fresh but has yet to fully know their plans with Robins-Hardy.
Nonetheless, the PVL will stand with its rules and regulations.
“Ang in-announce magiging part siya, maglalaro pero could be practice player. Walang formal, malinaw na kung ano gagawin sa kanya,” said Malonzo. “Kung ila-linuep, babalik ako sa regulations namin which is she has to go through the draft.”
The Foxies will begin their All-Filipino Conference campaign on Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Ynares Center Antipolo.