MANILA, Philippines — The PLDT High Speed Hitters formally filed a complaint with the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) board after a controversial call in the knockout semifinal clash against Akari Chargers last Saturday, Aug. 31.

PLDT released a statement on Sunday, Sept 1., that the team pursued a protest after the crucial call made by the referees and game officials.

"In this regard, we have official filed a complaint with the PVL Board. Our High Speed Hitters and the coaches have been fighting tooth and nail for every win, and for every point. This is us, the management, showing that we will fight for them, too," PLDT said in a statement via its social media accounts.

PVL commissioner Sherwin Malonzo told the press last night after the semifinal matches that the board will accept the complaint.

"In our manual, it should be within one hour you must file a protest, but of course, we will still accept their protest and we shall act on it," he said.

"We need to see their protest to see if we missed anything, and just to give them the chance."

However, Malonzo gave no guarantee on whether there would be a change in the game result if ever the complaint had strong valid points.

"There will be action, but I can't answer as of the moment on how we will act on it."

The Crucial Call in Set 5

With PLDT holding the match point advantage, 14-3, in the deciding frame, the High Speed Hitters made a mid-rally net touch challenge on Ezra Madrigal's block attempt over Mika Reyes.

After a heated discussion of PLDT and the game officials, PLDT's challenge was unsuccessful and the video challenge was not played in public.

If a mid-rally challenge is unsuccessful, the point is awarded to the other team.

This allowed Akari to tie the match at 14-all, en route to a 17-15 finish courtesy of Grethcel Soltones' back-to-back loaded swings, and Lena Samoilenko's costly attack error.

PVL Commissioner Explains

League commissioner Malonzo explained why they did not release the video challenge in broadcast, saying it could further cause confusion among viewers.

"The video I showed to everyone here in the media was not played in the broadcast, but we showed it to the teams. I am not sure if the message will be relayed fast to everyone, to the anchors. We worry about the interpretation," Malonzo told the press.

While Madrigal may have seen touching the net with her arm upon landing, it was a "second motion" already as Oly Okaro already received the ball.

Malonzo, together with supervisor Jeffrey Lopez clarified to the media on what happened and presented the video sequence of the crucial call.

Malonzo cleared that the referees and game officials were just following the FIVB official rulebook: Section 11.3, where it states that the second motion away from play net fault is considered no contact with the net.