Open Conference to finish next week

ILOCOS NORTE --The country's first professional volleyball champion will be known as early as August 11 and as late as August 13.

This after the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) revised its schedule to finish the league as early as possible before Ilocos Norte could implement stricter quarantine restrictions in the whole province.

"Gov. (Matthew) Manotoc was being asked why the PVL in Bacarra was not under MECQ (Moderate Enhanced Community Quarantine while the whole of Ilocos Norte is declared," said PVL commissioner Tonyboy Liao.

"So he requested Ricky if we can finish right away so walang problema," added Liao referring to league president Ricky Palou.

This means the elimination round would conclude on Saturday instead of Aug. 9 and the semifinals would open on Sunday instead of Aug. 11.

Starting Thursday, there would be a three-game offering until Saturday.

It would start with games pitting PLDT Home Fibr versus Bali Pure at 1 p.m., Black Mamba Army against Perlas at 4 p.m., and Petro Gazz versus Sta. Lucia at 7 p.m on Thursday and followed by matches pairing Creamline against Perlas at 1 p.m., Choco Mucho versus Petro Gazz at 4 p.m., and Cignal HD vs PLDT Home Fibr at 7 p.m. the next day.

On Saturday, it will be Bali Pure against Perlas at 1 p.m., Chery Tiggo versus Choco Mucho at 4 p.m., and Cignal HD against Black Mamba Army at 7 p.m.

The semifinals series is a best-of-three affair and if both series finishes via sweeps, the finals, another best-of-three duel, will be held the next day. (VJ)