With their clearance still on hold, it may not be possible to stage a conference in the last quarter of the year since the players need two months of training before hitting the volleyball court.

“We’re probably looking at the earliest, as of now, siguro baka January na. Kasi it’s too late na. By the time we get approval, the teams will need to train siguro two months to get into shape,” Sports Vision President Ricky Palou said.

Their initial request for holding a competition was submitted to the Department of Health last June. A copy was also furnished to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

As a commercial league, PVL has no direct supervision from a government agency unlike amateur and professional sports which is under the jurisdiction of PSC and GAB respectively.

“Mahirap yung case namin kasi walang supervising body compared to PBA, which is under GAB, or collegiate leagues, which is under CHED (Commission on Higher Education). Kasi if magka-problema during the tournament, walang magsa-sanction,” according to Palou.

The same goes for Spiker’s Turf, PSL, and MBPL which also await IATF’s nod.

Unless a vaccine will be available by January, the tournament will probably follow the bubble format staged by professional leagues to hold competitions.

“That’s the only thing that IATF will allow until may vaccine. Everything will have to be like a bubble,”

However, Palou is hopeful that they will be given permission before the year ends.

“We hope they will. Sana by October mabigyan na kami ng permission to allow the teams to start training. At least by January they’ll be ready. We’re hopeful naman. I don’t think na they’ll just leave us out in the cold.”

The three-conference season for men’s and women’s volleyball was run by the league with at least six squads participating in each division.