Sta. Lucia faces possible sanctions after Champions League pullout

The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) has given warning to Sta. Lucia after the latter's withdrawal from the Champions League slated from November 20 to December 4 at the Aquamarine Gym in Lipa City.

In a statement, the PNVF said the Lady Realtors should pay a withdrawal fee of P50,000 as stated by Champions League regulations drawn by the federation.

Sta. Lucia was originally grouped with the Chery Tiggo Pro Crossovers, California Precision Sports, and the Petro Gazz Angels in Pool B. Composing Pool A, meanwhile, are the Baguio Lady Highlanders, F2 Logistics Cargo Movers, and Perlas Spikers.

In the same breath, PNVF also warned Sta. Lucia that it could be facing another sanction after it refused to pay the International Transfer Certificate fee of US$1,500 as required by the FIVB for one of their players, MJ Phillips.

The Filipino-American spiker, according to PNVF, is currently under the jurisdiction of USA Volleyball. Phillips played for Sta. Lucia in the 2021 PVL Open Conference and was also part of the Choco Mucho team that played in the 2021 AVC Asian Women's Club Volleyball Championship.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News