The PLDT High Speed Hitters face off against the Akali Chargers in the PVL Reinforced Conference semifinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — PLDT’s protest over its controversial failed net-fault challenge has been “dismissed” by PVL, the team announced late Sunday night.
The High Speed Hitters suffered a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Akari in the knockout semi-finals on Saturday after the Chargers escaped 25-22, 18-25, 22-25, 26-24, 17-15.
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“We share the sad news that the Premier Volleyball League has decided to dismiss our appeal. [its] “We are disappointed with the referee’s decision not to call a net touch at a critical moment in our semi-final against Akali,” the team said in a statement.
Read: Akali vs Creamline PVL Finals postponed to Engadget
PLDT expressed disappointment after the protest, saying its coaching staff believed Ezra Madrigal committed a net fault midway through a rally to lead 14-13 in the fifth set.
“While it remains to be seen what this horrific experience is going to teach us, one thing PLDT takes pride in as a team is that we are united in fighting for the integrity of not only our team but all of Philippine volleyball,” the team said. “We can’t thank our fans enough for fighting for and with us. Your love for the sport we love is undeniable.”
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“High Speed Hitters is in the business of inspiring the next generation of athletes who will one day make it to the major leagues. So, kids watching all of this, no matter what adversity you face, please keep fighting, because we will.”
Read: PVL: PLDT protests after controversial semifinal loss to Akari
Although PLDT will no longer play in the invitational conference, coach Lard Ricafort made it clear that the move was for the health of his exhausted players and had nothing to do with their semifinal loss to Akari, which was tainted by a controversial decision.
Ricafort told the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Sunday that they would play the bronze medal match against sister team Signal amid frustration that their protest was turned down, dashing their championship hopes.
“Realistically, it’s hard to bounce back from that incident. We just have to come out on top and feel like we have to play (the bronze medal match),” PLDT coach Lardo Ricafort told the Inquirer on Sunday. “Now we just have to play the game.”
“Whatever the result, we fought throughout the game. [conference] That’s the right way to do it.”
READ: PVL explains no net error in controversial Akari-PLDT late game
The PVL had not yet released an update on the protest as of press time, but a statement from the team indicated the league stood by its decision to deny the challenge that put the Chargers at deuce, 14-14, before they ultimately came from behind to win and advance to the PVL Finals.
Immediately after Saturday’s match, Commissioner Sherwin Malonzo cited the FIVB rulebook on net contact and said Madrigal did not commit a net violation because both feet were already on the floor and that contact with the net was a second action that led to the ball being in play.
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He also clarified that the challenge was not shown on screen or broadcast to avoid confusion, and said both teams had seen footage of the challenge.
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