Fil-Am Alohi Robins-Hardy can’t choose a team — Palou

THE Premier Volleyball League (PVL) warned Alohi Robins-Hardy of the possibility of being slapped with sanctions should she make do her earlier pronouncement that she will not play should she be picked by other teams outside Farm Fresh in the Rookie Draft on Sunday at the Novotel Hotel.

“We will not allow that, she can’t choose a team,” said PVL President Ricky Palou during yesterday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Rizal Memorial Complex referring to the 29-year-old Fil-Am setter.

“We still have to discuss sanctions but once you go to the draft, you have to play for the team that drafted you. It’s either you play or don’t play at all,” he added.

Mr. Palou, of course, was referring to Ms. Robins-Hardy, who signed a five-year contract with Farm Fresh last year but was required to go through the draft like any other newcomers since she hadn’t played in the PVL before it decided to hold its first draft ceremony last year.

Unless it tabs another player, Farm Fresh should exercise its high No. 3 pick on Ms. Robin-Hardy and render the issue moot.

Capital1 is picking first and is expected to claim consensus No. 1 pick Mhicaela “Bella” Belen while Galeries Tower drew No. 2 and should use it on a spiker since it had already snared a talented and young setter in Julia Coronel a season ago.

Meanwhile, PVL Commissioner Sherwin Malonzo said has barred trading rookies or draft rights.

“Rookies must play for at least one year for them to be eligible for a trade,” said Mr. Malonzo.

PVL Notes: Akari named Tina Salak as its new head coach, succeeding Japanese Taka Minowa. The announcement came just as a day after Capital1 tapped Alas Pilipinas mentor Jorge Souza de Brito as its new bench tactician, succeeding Roger Gorayeb. — Joey Villar