Gerflor Defenders. – PVL PHOTO
There was a sense of uncertainty in Sammy Acaylar’s voice when he talked about the future.
“I don’t know if we (team) will be continued, up to now I still don’t know what their decision will be,” Acaylar told the Inquirer over the phone when asked of the fate of the remnants of his Gerflor squad that had effectively been disbanded after the last Premier Volleyball League (PVL) season.
“I am still waiting on the decision (of the new management) because they said (it would come) after Christmas.”
During the recently concluded All-Filipino Conference, social media posts detailing the alleged shabby treatment of Gerflor management of its players and coaching staff came up, which led to an investigation by the league.
The Defenders, who never won a single game since joining in the Invitational Conference, were allegedly not being paid their salaries on time. And woes about practice venues and scheduling were not being attended to by their management.
“After our last game, the salaries of our players and coaches were finally given,” Acaylar said. “(But regarding) the plan of the PVL and the good Samaritan, we’re still in the dark and (all of us) don’t know what to do next.”The good Samaritan is Farm Fresh team owner Frank Lao, who shouldered unpaid salaries of the players and coaching staff.
Lao, a businessman and restaurateur, is wildly being talked about to be interested in putting up another PVL team, but no definite plans have been discussed with PVL president Ricky Palou as the year comes to a close.
“Their plan at first was we will continue, but of course under a new company, Mr. Frank Lao’s company, and then get players with potential. But there has been no call until now,” Acaylar revealed as they try to remain patient while awaiting word.
Sammy Acaylar, Veteran Coach
‘Let’s just pray’
“I told my players, who are also asking (about what will happen), to let’s just pray that we get to continue,” Acaylar said. “But (we have to) accept the fact that there will be changes in the players and coaches because that will depend on the new company whoever (it feels) gets to continue to play.”
The former Defenders headed into the holidays filled with uncertainty on the future of their respective careers, and Acaylar was not spared from that agony.
A key figure in several men’s national teams as a player and the man in charge of leading the Cignal team to the defunct Philippine SuperLiga finals, Acaylar has a personal winning tradition to uphold.
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“As a coach, I want to bounce back; I want to live up to my reputation as a successful champion coach,” Acaylar, the long-time coach of NCAA power University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, said. “I want to help the players.“But I need a team that has players with potential and a good company that can go head-to-head against the likes of Creamline, Chery Tiggo.“I was a bit disappointed, but I can bounce back. I am just waiting for a company that has players with potential to tap me.” INQ