MANILA, Philippines — The PVL cleared the air regarding the rescheduling of the grudge match between PLDT and Akari from December 14 to January 18.

The league on Saturday released a statement to address the “wrong notion” on the heels of PLDT coach Rald Ricafort’s comments on the change due to a “slight scheduling imbalance”

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“A slight scheduling imbalance prompted an adjustment in the 2024-25 PVL calendar to ensure fairness across teams,” the league wrote. “Initially, Akari was slated to play seven games early in the season, compared to five or six for other teams.”

READ: PVL: Petro Gazz stretches streak to three with win over PLDT

The PVL clears the air regarding the Akari vs PLDT game in 2025.

The said game was initially schedule on Dec. 14 but due to scheduling imbalance — with seven games for Akari — the league opted to move it on Jan. 18 even before the 2024-25 AFC opened.#PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports https://t.co/gJAcLJxQhy

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) December 14, 2024

The PVL added the member teams had already agreed last October 31 to reschedule the match.

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“The revised schedule, finalized before the conference’s November 9 opening, underscores the league’s commitment to maintaining competitive equity and a balanced playing field for all teams,” the statement read.

Ricafort said PLDT will now have to run the gauntlet at the start of the new year due to the tweak in the schedule.

“Dapat may game kami ng 14 Akari pero ni-request nilang i-move ng January 18 dahil marami na raw silang games so na-approve naman pero dahil doon, 18 Akari, Thursday (Jan. 23) Choco Mucho agad, tapos Tuesday agad Cignal (Jan. 28),” said Ricafort on Tuesday after the High Speed Hitters ended the year with back-to-back losses following a loss to Petro Gazz in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.

READ: PVL: Chery Tiggo topples PLDT behind Jen Nierva, Cess Robles

“Malayo doon sa normal namin ngayon na every week lang kami naglalaro so yun yung magiging challenge sa amin sa January. Bakasyon namin December 23 tapos balik kami ng January 2 kasi marami kaming hahabulin.”

Ricafort’s statement drew mixed reactions from fans and he quickly clarified he didn’t mean to cause misimpression.

“Tuloy tuloy yung training. Yung January namin magiging tight sched yun yung magiging adjustment namin training-wise at saka program-wise kasi magiging mas siksik na. Kailangan magrecover at magprepare,” he said.

The clash between PLDT and Akari is one of the most anticipated games this conference after their controversial knockout semifinal game last Reinforced Conference where the Chargers went on to clinch their first finals appearance.