“We are hearing that there will be a merger with Army and Air Force,” Palou shared during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday.

A promising team is considered to emerge with the tie-up of the likes of Lady Troopers Jovelyn Gonzaga, Royce Tubino, Tin Agno, Nene Bautista, and Ging Balse and the addition of Lady Jet Spikers Dell Palomata, Wendy Semana, and Joy Cases.

In the concluded 2019 PVL Open Conference, Philippine Air Force and Pacific Town-Army finished fifth and sixth place respectively.

Considering that enlisted personnel cannot enter into professional contracts, Armed Forces players are to be given special guest licenses by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).

“At first, we had a problem because the Armed Forces teams will not be allowed to turn pro. We discussed this issues with Chairman Baham [Mitra],” said Palou.

“GAB will allow them to join by issuing a special guest license,” he added.

PVL is planning to start its first conference as a professional league in the first quarter next year in a bubble set up and looking at two possible venues in Laguna—Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba or Trace Colleges in Los Baños.

Defending champion Creamline, Choco Mucho, Petro Gazz, Perlas Spikers, Motolite, Balipure, and Chef’s Classics are expected to be part of the league’s upcoming season.

“We’re hoping that more corporations will join the PVL. That will be good for volleyball. Dadami ang teams and players. We’re open to new teams. But we’d like to limit it to maybe 10 or 12 at most,” said Palou.