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Newly elected Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Tonyboy Liao vowed to steer the organization toward greater progress after securing a sweeping victory in the federation elections held last Friday night in Taguig.

“Our hope is to continue making Philippine volleyball better,” said Liao, who, along with his 13-member board, won decisively in the polls participated in by 47 voting members, including outgoing president Ramon Suzara. Philippine Olympic Committee secretary-general Atty. Wharton Chan served as observer.

Among those elected to key posts were Dr. Arnel Hajan as chairman, Yul Benosa as vice president, Ottie Camangian as secretary-general, Ricky Palou as treasurer, and Roger Banzuela as auditor. Completing the board are Michael Vargas, Sherwin Maganda, Danilo Cong-O, Edward Lee, Charo Soriano, Fr. Vic Calvo, OP, and Ma. Soccorro Calleja.

SEA Games Preparation Tops Early Agenda

Liao’s first order of business is preparing the national teams for next month’s Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, where Alas Pilipinas aims to contend for medals in men’s and women’s indoor volleyball as well as beach volleyball.

Push for Transparency, Organizational Overhaul

Running on a platform of transparency and good governance, Liao’s new leadership has requested the courtesy resignations of all holdover staff from Suzara’s administration. The move, he explained, is meant to address significant redundancies that have affected efficiency and strained the federation’s limited resources.

“We noticed a lot of redundant work—one task being done by two people,” Liao said. “If a job is redundant, I’m sorry, but we have to take you off. We need to keep only what the organization truly needs.”

He added that overstaffing leads to unnecessary expenses, especially for a federation that relies heavily on commercial sponsorships. “PNVF is not rich. If we keep spending on redundant positions, that’s money we could use for operations and tournaments.”

Audit of P2-Billion World Championship Hosting Funds Looms

A major task ahead for Liao’s administration, particularly for treasurer Ricky Palou, is opening the federation’s financial books to trace how the P2 billion allocated for hosting the recent FIVB Men’s World Championship was used. The inquiry forms part of the new board’s pledge to ensure transparency and accountability in the federation’s operations.

For now, Liao said his immediate focus is to “put the association in good order” by reviewing and reorganizing the structure that has been in place for the past five years.

With a renewed mandate, a strong leadership lineup, and a clear call for reform, Liao’s administration signals a fresh chapter for Philippine volleyball—one driven by accountability, efficiency, and a commitment to elevating the sport on the international stage.

Creamline begins its title defense in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference without long-time playmaker Jia de Guzman, who has been ruled out just days before the opener. “Management has decided Jia is sitting this one out. So, she's not playing this conference," team captain Alyssa Valdez confirmed during Thursday’s press launch in Pasig.

While no official reason was given, de Guzman is expected to focus on her leadership duties with Alas Pilipinas as they prepare for the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand this December. 

De Guzman will also dedicate the PVL Reinforced Conference to ball training and more intense strength and conditioning, aligning her "return to court" timeline with the Creamline Cool Smashers.

"Given her competition schedule the past few years, this is to help preserve the longevity of her playing career and avoid injury," the team said.

The plan is for de Guzman to return to action for Creamline in the next conference, allowing her time to reintegrate after two seasons away. "With the goal of returning to action for Creamline in the next conference, everyone agreed that this period will also give her time to reintegrate herself back into the Creamline system after being gone for two seasons."

Coach Sherwin Meneses noted the eight-time PVL Best Setter may wear the Creamline jersey again next year. 

"Si Jia talaga, talagang tested na sa mga games, so 'yung panghihinayang laging nandiyan 'yan. Big factor talaga kung makalaro si Jia, pero siguro 'di pa ngayon, siguro next year," Meneses said.

The Cool Smashers, defending champions of the Reinforced Conference, are seeking redemption after missing the finals in the past two PVL tournaments and settling for bronze medals.

The veteran setter last played for the Cool Smashers two years ago and is set to return in the 2026 All-Filipino Conference.

The stage is set for the return of import action in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) as the 2025 Reinforced Conference fires off on October 7, featuring 12 professional teams eager to battle for supremacy.

At Thursday’s press launch in Pasig, PVL president Ricky Palou said fans can expect a heightened level of competition with foreign reinforcements joining the fray. 

“It’s going to be more competitive than usual because it’s Reinforced. We still have to see the caliber and skills of the imports, but whoever wins the championship, it’s anybody’s game.” Palou said. 

The tournament will conclude by the end of November to give way to the Philippines’ participation in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.

Imports Ready to Shine

All squads have retooled their lineups with international talents aiming to spark deep runs this conference:

Creamline: American spiker Courtney Schwan seeks redemption after back-to-back bronze finishes.

PLDT High Speed Hitters: Russian ace Anastasiia Bavykina leads their title defense.

Galeries: Montenegrin standout Jelena Cvijovic returns.

Nxled: Spanish hitter Paola Martinez Vela joins the lineup.

Akari Chargers: American Annie Mitchem bolsters their attack.

Capital1: Ukrainian Oleksandra Bytsenko leads the charge.

Chery Tiggo: Cuban veteran Yunieska Robles Batista powers their campaign.

Choco Mucho: American Anyse Marlee Smith joins the roster.

Cignal: Greek attacker Eva Chantava boosts their offense.

Farm Fresh: Belgian power hitter Helene Rousseaux strengthens the team.

Zus Coffee: American Anna DeBeer joins the squad.

Streamlined Tournament Format

Teams are divided into two pools and play a single round-robin within groups.

Top three teams per pool advance to the second round, facing only the bottom three squads of the opposite pool.

Rankings follow the FIVB system: total wins, match points, set ratio, and point ratio.

After the second round, all teams are re-ranked (1–12). The bottom four are eliminated, while the top eight move to the knockout quarterfinals.

Quarterfinals, semifinals, and medal matches will all be one-game, do-or-die battles.

With powerhouse imports, revamped rosters, and a format designed for unpredictability, the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference is shaping up to be one of the league’s most competitive showdowns yet.