PVL sets trade rules: No rookie moves, No sister-team swaps

As the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) continues its aggressive push towards becoming a fully professional and sustainable league, officials are now setting their sights on launching an official player trade system-potentially in place before the 2025-26 season.

Following the successful debut of its first-ever rookie draft in 2024, the PVL is taking the next major step in solidifying its infrastructure. PVL competition director Sherwin Malonzo revealed the development during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday, June 3, at the Rizal Memorial Complex in Manila.

“Rookies cannot be traded, but we’ve already floated the idea of trading to teams,” Malonzo said in Filipino.

“Rookies need to stay for one season before being eligible for trade. Rookie draft rights also cannot be traded.”

The trade policy, while still under discussion, is already being shaped with clear-cut rules aimed at maintaining parity across all franchises—starting with a firm ban on rookie trades and draft pick swaps.

To further avoid potential abuse of the system, especially echoing the controversial “conduit” trades that have plagued Philippine basketball, the PVL is also ruling out transactions between sister teams. This move affects prominent franchise pairs such as:

• Creamline Cool Smashers and Choco Mucho Flying Titans (both under Rebisco),
• PLDT High Speed Hitters and Cignal HD Spikers (owned by Manny V. Pangilinan),
• Akari Chargers and Nxled Chameleons (linked through appliance business affiliations),
• Farm Fresh Foxies and ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles (both under Strong Group Athletics).

In another safeguard, Malonzo said that once a player is traded, they will be subject to a mandatory one-year trade restriction to prevent teams from bypassing rules by shuffling athletes through other squads.

The overarching theme remains clear: the PVL is committed to preserving competitive integrity and fostering sustainable growth for all participating teams.

These developments come just days ahead of the highly anticipated 2025 PVL Rookie Draft, scheduled for Sunday, June 8, at Novotel Manila. 

Former National University standout Bella Belen is widely expected to be the top overall selection by the Capital1 Solar Spikers—a projected milestone moment in the league's evolving player development landscape.

Right behind them, the Galeries Tower Highrisers, Farm Fresh Foxies, and Nxled Chameleons are poised to make significant roster upgrades with the second to fourth overall picks. These expansion and lower-tier squads are banking on fresh talent to elevate their competitiveness.

Malonzo expressed optimism that between 24 to 30 of the 60 draft aspirants could realistically find homes in the league, given that teams have the option to skip picks in the later rounds if they choose.

With institutional reforms like the draft and an upcoming trade system, the PVL is making it clear: the future of Philippine volleyball will be built on structure, parity, and professionalism.