Farm Fresh team owner Frank Lao raised that he already had a gentleman's agreement with PVL president Ricky Palou regarding Alohi Robins-Hardy.
Farm Fresh Foxies team owner Frank Lao is appealing to the PVL to let Alohi Robins-Hardy play in the All-Filipino Conference without going through the draft.
Lao made the appeal on Thursday, a couple of days before the new season officially kicks off, noting that he already had a gentleman's agreement with PVL president Ricky Palou.
In a statement released by Farm Fresh, Lao recounted how Palou said in June that Robins-Hardy can play "provided that she present a valid Philippine passport."
The setter previously played for the Cignal HD Spikers in the Philippine Superliga (PSL). In the press conference on Thursday, Robins-Hardy showed off her maroon-covered Philippine passport.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Alohi Robins-Hardy signs with Farm Fresh to mark PH return after 3 years]
"Palou suddenly had a change of heart, saying that Robins-Hardy will not be allowed to compete unless she joins the PVL draft next year," the statement noted.
"Subsequently last month, Palou sat down in a meeting with Strong Group Athletics (SGA) executives to admit his 'oversight' regarding Robins-Hardy’s eligibility status."
The statement then recounted how Palou raised the idea of having other teams decide whether Robins-Hardy would be allowed to play.
Reportedly, Lao was able to secure the support of the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, Galeries Tower Highrisers, PLDT High Speed Hitters, Petro Gazz Angels, and the Chery Tiggo Crossovers.
Before he was able to meet with two more teams, Palou "suddenly pulled the plug and reiterated that there is no way for them to allow Robins-Hardy to see action without joining the PVL draft."
"That’s why it’s really frustrating to know that they will not allow her to compete unless she joins the PVL draft, which will happen next year," Lao said in the statement.
"All we want is to be competitive – that’s all," he added, as the Foxies recruited former Cignal spiker Rachel Anne Daquis and libero Jheck Dionela.
"But how can we do it if we will not be allowed to recruit players whom we believe can help us achieve our goal? We want to make it to the top four that's why we're spending money and adding new recruits to help us entertain the fans and win the title."
PVL commissioner Sherwin Malonzo explained during the All-Filipino press conference that Robins-Hardy has to go through the draft as she was not part of any team from 2021 until the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference.
"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," Malonzo said.
"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."
[ALSO READ: PVL confirms Alohi Robins-Hardy must enter draft before playing in the league]
The PVL instituted the draft just last season to provide parity. The event saw De La Salle standout Thea Gagate as the top overall pick for ZUS Coffee.
Her teammates Leila Cruz and Julia Coronel were picked by the Capital1 Solar Spikers and the Galeries Tower Highrisers, respectively.
ZUS Coffee's Shayra Ancheta, selected in the second round, was hailed Rookie of the Conference.
"It’s really disappointing because I had to give up my job just to play and provide excitement to volleyball fans here in the Philippines," said Alohi-Hardy, a former national team member and cousin of PBA veteran Gabe Norwood.
"I hope the PVL will reconsider its position and allow me to play. Volleyball means so much to me and competing in front of the Filipino fans is something that I will cherish for the rest of my life."
Expect some tension, as Farm Fresh will open its campaign on November 16, Saturday, against Cignal at 4 p.m. inside Ynares Center Antipolo.
[Editor's note: This is a developing story.]