PVL eligibility of Jaja Santiago and Jia Morado De Guzman

JAJA Santiago could soon make her Premier Volleyball League (PVL) comeback with the Chery Tiggo Crossovers after a runner-up finish with JT Marvelous in the 2023-24 Japan V.League.

But for Creamline’s ace setter Jia De Guzman, who landed in the top five of Japan’s top-flight volleyball league with Denso Airybees, her PVL comeback will have to wait for at least another conference.

PVL competition director Sherwin Malonzo shed light on the contrasting eligibility statuses of the two former MVPs for the ongoing 2024 All-Filipino Conference.

“Si Jaja (Santiago), I saw her in the lineup of Chery Tiggo. If she arrives, she can play. But in the case of Jia De Guzman, I didn’t see her name. We already ended our registration nung before pa mag-start [‘yung tournament]. Basically, [last] February 14,” Malonzo said in an ambush interview on Thursday.

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“I think na-overlook ‘yun sa side ng Creamline, ‘di nila nakita na wala yung pangalan ni Jia. Sadly, hindi makakalaro si Jia this conference. Every conference naman we submit different lineups kung ano yung gagamitin nila,” he added.

As per the documents submitted by the team prior to the start of the 2024 season, Creamline listed 19 players in the final lineup submitted to the league. But it oddly excluded De Guzman despite having one last available roster spot.

No substitutions allowed

Malonzo also made it clear that mid-conference substitutions involving players excluded from the original roster are prohibited under league rules.

“You can de-list a player, remove a player, but you cannot add or change. ‘Yun ‘yung rule natin per conference. Next conference, pwede naman magpalit kasi each team can submit up to 20 players.

“Sa haba ng liga natin, it’s up to the teams to balance who to play during the months ng tournament natin para ‘di naman bugbog ‘yung players,” said Malonzo.

PHOTO: PVL Images

“Ganun ‘yung supposed na concept kaya 20 ‘yung nasa roster. Ngayon, dun sa 20 like I said, ‘di ka na pwede magpalit or mag-add in case na less than 20 ‘yung players,” he added.

In Chery Tiggo’s case, Malonzo explained how there’s no time restriction for a potential Santiago return this conference as she was included in the team’s original 20-player roster.

“in the case of Jaja (Santiago), nasa lineup siya so once she’s present, she can be used. Wala naman tayong rule against ‘ligang labas.’ Pero technically, ‘di naman siya ligang labas eh. She was…