PVL to replay opening games after import clearance, ensures fair start for all teams

The Premier Volleyball League is pressing reset on its Reinforced Conference opener — a rare move that highlights the league’s commitment to fairness after a chaotic start marred by paperwork delays.

In an unprecedented decision announced Wednesday, the PVL confirmed that the two opening-day matches will be replayed after both were played without foreign imports due to incomplete International Transfer Certificates (ITCs).

League officials explained that the decision came “in the spirit of fairness, competitive parity, and delivering the best possible experience for the fans,” following discussions with the teams involved and other stakeholders. 

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PVL Update:

The two matches held on October 7, 2025, will be replayed on a date to be announced.

This follows prior agreement among the teams to ensure all squads, including foreign guest players, can field complete rosters.#PVL2025 | #TheHeartOfVolleyball pic.twitter.com/JECenM06g6

— Premier Volleyball League (@pvlph) October 8, 2025

The games in question — ZUS Coffee vs Akari and Choco Mucho vs Capital1 — were both fiercely contested despite the absence of imports. In the opener, ZUS Coffee rallied from behind to topple Akari in five sets, 24-26, 25-23, 17-25, 26-24, 15-7, leaning on a well-balanced offense that saw six Thunderbelles score in double figures.

Later that evening, Choco Mucho spoiled Bella Belen’s highly anticipated PVL debut by grinding out a narrow straight-sets victory, 33-31, 26-24, 25-23.

However, both matches were played under unusual circumstances. ZUS Coffee’s Anna DeBeer, Akari’s Annie Mitchem, Choco Mucho’s Anyse Smith, and Capital1’s Oleksandra Bytsenko — all foreign reinforcements — were unavailable as their ITCs remained unsigned by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF).

That final missing endorsement was completed just nine hours after the double-header in Montalban, Rizal, at 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday — effectively clearing the imports to play moving forward.

With all reinforcements now eligible, the PVL is determined to give fans a proper Reinforced Conference showcase — one that reflects the true strength of each roster. The league confirmed that all four teams have agreed to replay the matches, ensuring a fair start to the tournament now that every squad is at full strength.

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