All Systems Go: PVL Imports cleared to play after PVL-PNVF dispute and ITC delay resolved

After a brief opening-day hiccup, the Premier Volleyball League’s 2025 Reinforced Conference is finally at full strength.

The league confirmed Tuesday morning that all foreign players have been cleared to suit up, following the completion of their long-awaited International Transfer Certificates (ITCs).

The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) wrapped up the process by 6:30 a.m., officially endorsing all foreign and Filipino-American athletes for competition — a move that instantly restores balance and excitement across the league.

The clearance came just a day after a somewhat incomplete opening salvo, where several teams were forced to play without their imports. 

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In a statement, PVL organizer Sports Vision said it was “deeply frustrated” by what it called the PNVF’s stance, noting that all necessary paperwork—including clearances from the foreign athletes, their home federations, and PVL clubs—had been submitted on time. pic.twitter.com/hV5JwxaRPX

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ZUS Coffee’s Anna DeBeer, Akari’s Annie Mitchem, Choco Mucho’s Anyse Smith, and Capital1’s Oleksandra Bytsenko were all sidelined on Monday due to pending paperwork, leaving their teams to improvise with all-Filipino rotations.

The delay stemmed from FIVB’s requirement that all foreign athletes — including Filipino-Americans transferring federations — secure ITCs before being allowed to compete professionally abroad. Any participation without these clearances could have resulted in sanctions and jeopardized players’ eligibility for future international events.

Even local talent felt the impact. Choco Mucho rookie and seventh overall pick Tia Andaya had to sit out her debut game while her ITC transfer from USA Volleyball to the PNVF was still being processed. Playing without clearance, officials warned, could have compromised her international standing.

In response to the disruption, the PVL moved swiftly, coordinating with the PNVF to resolve the issue before the tournament’s second playdate. The league also issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to protecting athlete welfare and maintaining the integrity of the sport — ensuring that by Tuesday morning, every team could finally field its complete lineup.

With the paperwork drama behind them, the spotlight now shifts back to the court — where the imports can finally make their long-awaited impact in the country’s premier volleyball showcase.

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