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MANILA, Philippines – Cignal HD, one of the original teams in the Philippine Super League (PSL), officially exited the league, leaving the PSL with just three full-time members.
PSL President Philip Ella “Popoy” Juico revealed during the Philippine Sports Writers Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday that Cignal informed them on Monday that he will “join the other league.”
“We were told, again with very little notice, like what happened in the PLDT case,” he said.
Both Cignal and PLDT have transferred to the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), which begins its first professional season in May. Three teams, Petron, Marinerang Pilipina and Generika, have also been absent from PSL.
Cignal’s departure from the PSL has far-reaching implications. The league now only has three regular members: Sta. Lucia, Cherry Tiggo and F2 Logistics. PetroGazz, a PVL franchise, is supposed to join PSL as a guest team as long as there is no scheduling conflict.
Furthermore, this development has forced the league to change its broadcast partner.
“If Cignal joins the other league, we have no other reason, a sensible reason to stay in TV5,” Juico said. “We have to adjust to the reality of the situation, to the signs of the times.”
Despite the commotion, Juico flaunted the strength of the league, insisting that the remaining teams are “very committed.” They already have plans to start a beach volleyball tournament later this month, while talks are underway for an indoor competition.
“Despite these alleged moves, or some call it trespassing or poaching, I just smile,” Juico said. “We are still as strong as before, stronger now because the teams we have are very committed and we are starting again.”
“So we’re starting over and we’re negotiating with them to broadcast beach volleyball on February 26, and then we’re making adjustments for indoor volleyball while we wait for the new rules that the Health Department is supposed to make. provide, the new guidelines, to allow commercial or non-professional leagues to play, “he added.
Juico is also optimistic that they can add at least two more teams to their roster for the indoor tournament. For the beach volleyball event, eight teams will compete with St. Lucia and United Auctioneers in two teams each.
“We are worried but not anxious. We know we can do this, because the league has been a successful league, it has fame,” he stressed.
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