The PVL reiterated its stand on the Alohi Robins-Hardy issue, despite the Farm Fresh Foxies' appeal.
The PVL ruling stands. Alohi Robins-Hardy has to go through the draft, which will take place next year.
The league reiterated its position on Thursday evening, after the Farm Fresh Foxies made an appeal to let the Fil-Am setter compete in the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference--which begins this Saturday.
"Alohi Robins-Hardy can play in the PVL, but she must first fulfill the league’s eligibility requirements: 1) a valid Philippine passport and 2) going through the draft process which will take place in June 2025," the PVL posted.
"The guidelines were presented and emailed to all the teams and were duly received and approved for implementation."
In the statement, the PVL said a memorandum was released in May, specifying that all athletes who have not played in the league since it turned professional in 2021 until the first conference of 2024 must go through the draft process.
The league said it shared back in June a list of veteran players eligible for direct hiring. Robins-Hardy was not in the list.
Questions had been raised regarding Robins-Hardy's status after the Farm Fresh Foxies announced they had signed the setter.
She has not played volleyball in the Philippines since 2021 back with the Cignal HD Spikers in the Philippine Superliga (PSL).
[ALSO READ: PVL: Alohi Robins-Hardy signs with Farm Fresh to mark PH return after 3 years]
However, PVL commissioner Sherwin Malonzo said during the All-Filipino press conference that the Fil-Am can be a practice player.
Being in the official roster though requires undergoing through the draft, he added.
[ALSO READ: PVL confirms Alohi Robins-Hardy must enter draft before playing in the league]
On Thursday morning, the Foxies held a press conference to make an appeal.
Team owner Frank Lao even raised a supposed "gentleman's agreement" with PVL president Ricky Palou in June that would allow Robins-Hardy to play, provided she has a valid Philippine passport.
The Fil-Am presented that passport on Thursday.
"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 Farm Fresh 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."
According to Lao, Palou raised the idea of having other teams decide on the matter.
They got five signatures before 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."
[ALSO READ: Farm Fresh owner appeals to PVL: Let Alohi Robins-Hardy play without going through draft]
And now, it seems the PVL put its foot down on the matter.
"The PVL's official guidelines take precedence over all other considerations," the league stated.
Farm Fresh though is considering its options for Alohi, including a possible stint in the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association under the Quezon Tangerines, which is also backed by Lao.
“I can’t do anything about it, it’s not in my control, it’s not in our control. The PVL will say and do what they want, and what they think is right, and we will stand behind that or we won’t fight, we won’t argue,” said Robins-Hardy.
[ALSO READ: Farm Fresh to explore all possible options for Alohi Robins-Hardy amid ongoing appeal to PVL]
Farm Fresh will open its campaign on November 16, Saturday, against Cignal at 4 p.m. inside Ynares Center Antipolo.
(With reports from Mei-Lin Lozada, Kiko Demigillo/One Sports Digital)