PVL implements changes to officiating with strengthened partnership with PNVF

The Premier Volleyball League (PVL) has sought the help of Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) in a bid to further maintain the balance and fairness in officiating in the country's first and only professional volleyball league.

PNVF president Ramon "Tats" Suzara revealed on Monday that Yul Benosa, who boasts years of experience in game officiating, will now serve as the referee delegate to PVL.

"I know there’s a lot of challenges a few months ago about winning a match. So now, with the stronger partnership with PVL, we will appoint Yul Benosa, our chairman of the referees commission, as the referee delegate in the PVL," Suzara said in a press conference at Novotel Cubao.

"In this way, it also raises the level of our referees in the PVL."

Benosa will oversee the officiating while also sharing his wealth of knowledge to local referees.

The move stemmed mainly from the controversial game between Akari and PLDT in the previous Reinforced Conference where the High Speed Hitters filed a protest over a non-call in the fifth set of their knockout semifinals match.

In addition to this, the PNVF has also helped PVL in employing international neutral referees from neighboring countries who will help the officiating once the new All-Filipino Conference reaches the semifinals and finals

"The second one, as agreed with the PVL, in the semifinals and finals we will bring international neutral referees from nearby [countries like] Hong Kong, Thailand so there will be fair decisions by the officiating referees," Suzara added.

In regular games, meanwhile, a regular international referee will supervise the officiating.

These major changes will be implemented right away when the league opens a brand new season on November 9 with the All-Filipino Conference, which will run for six months to align with the FIVB calendar.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News