Referee Controversy Rocks Petro Gazz-Creamline Semifinal
In a recent match during the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference, a controversial call by volleyball referee Bobby Celso has sparked debate and led to repercussions.
Celso’s Lapse in Judgment
A league source revealed that Celso’s decision during a critical play involving Creamline’s Alyssa Valdez and Petro Gazz’s Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and MJ Phillips raised questions about his officiating.
The disputed call, which initially went against Creamline but was later reversed, impacted the outcome of the set and ultimately the match.
League Takes Action
As a result of the incident, Celso has been removed from officiating any further games in the ongoing conference.
The PVL has acknowledged the need to address the issue and ensure fair play and integrity in all matches.
Team Reactions
Petro Gazz, the team affected by the controversial call, has called for better officiating standards while also focusing on their upcoming matches.
Despite the setback, both Petro Gazz and Creamline are gearing up for their next games in the round-robin semifinals.
The stakes are high as the top two teams will advance to the championship series, while the bottom two will compete in the bronze-medal match.