Foreign referees will officiate in the 2024-2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All–Filipino Conference.
As part of the stronger partnership between the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) and PVL, the national sports association will help bring international referees to the first-ever professional volleyball league of the country.
PNVF president Ramon Suzara said on Monday, June 4, that the move seeks to ensure fair officiating during matches.
"As agreed with PVL, the PNVF will support PVL in the semifinals and finals to bring international neutral referees," said Suzara, who also heads the Asian Volleyball Confederation, during a press conference.
"Wala ng magsasabi na may biased itong first referee, dahil puro Filipino. Put an international referee so there is no bias," he added.
The development came after netizens questioned the five-set win of the Akari Chargers against the PLDT High Speed Hitters during the semifinals of the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference last August 31 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
In the fifth-set, the Chargers tied the score, 15-all, after an unsuccesful challenge by the High Speed Hitters.
During the press conference, Suzara also announced the appointment of Yul Benosa, who chairs the referees commission of the PNVF, as referee delegate of PVL.
"This way, it also raises the level of our referees now in the PVL," the PNVF chief explained.
