The PVL clarified that the rescheduling of the December 14, 2024 Akari-PLDT match to January 18, 2025 was a pre-season decision made to ensure fair scheduling across teams.
The PVL has issued a statement to address misconceptions surrounding rescheduling the supposed December 14 match between the Akari Chargers and PLDT High Speed Hitters in the ongoing 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference.
According to the league, a slight scheduling imbalance was identified in the original calendar, which would have seen Akari play seven matches early in the season compared to five or six games for other teams.
The Chargers currently have a 3-3 record, and a seventh game before the PVL took its Christmas break would have meant the highest number of finished games for one team in the conference so far.
[ALSO READ: Fifi Sharma finds positives from Akari’s performances amid 3-3 start in PVL All-Filipino]
To rectify this, the league and its members unanimously agreed on October 31 to move Akari's December 14 match against PLDT to January 18.
Initially slated to cap off the final PVL match in 2024, the grudge match will kick off the conference’s 2025 schedule.
PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort had earlier stated that Akari requested the schedule change, claiming the team cited an overloaded slate of matches as the reason.
“May game kami ng [December] 14 sa Akari. Ni-request nilang i-move ng January 18 dahil marami na raw silang games. Na-approve naman dahil ‘yun nga ‘yung schedule,” Ricafort said in a previous interview.
Reports of what Ricarfot said had spread fast on social media as fans immediately vented their ire at the Chargers.
Recall as well that Akari and PLDT had been involved in controversy during their semifinals match in the 2024 Reinforced Conference.
[ALSO READ: PVL explains controversial unsuccessful challenge by PLDT against Akari in Reinforced Conference semis]
However, both the PVL and Akari denied this assertion, clarifying that the schedule adjustment was a league-wide decision made in consultation with all teams before the season began.
This revised schedule was finalized ahead of the conference’s opening on November 9, ensuring a balanced playing field for all teams.
Ricafort later clarified his comments, expressing regret for implicating Akari in the matter.
The PLDT tactician explained that his initial statement was only meant to address his team's plans for the upcoming break and declined to elaborate further.
The PVL reiterated its dedication to maintaining fair competition, with the revised schedule reflecting its proactive efforts to address potential imbalances.
The much-anticipated Akari-PLDT rematch will now take place on January 18, 2025, setting the stage for an exciting start to the new year in PVL action.