The Premier Volleyball League has turned down the protest of the PLDT High Speed Hitters in line with their controversial semifinal loss to the Akari Chargers last Saturday, Aug. 31, in the Reinforced Conference.

The PLDT team management disclosed the development in a statement late Sunday, Sept. 1, less than 24 hours before the winner-take-all match between the Chargers and the Creamline Cool Smashers were supposed to play.

“We sadly share the news that the Premier Volleyball League has decided to junk our protest regarding their referees’ decision to not call a net touch on a crucial juncture of our match versus Akari in the semifinals,” read the statement, which was posted on the team’s social media.

“We are yet to know what this horrible experience is trying to teach us but one thing PLDT is proud of as a team is how we are one in fighting for the integrity not just of our team but of the entirety of Philippine volleyball,” it added.

Leading 14-13, the High Speed Hitters challenged a net fault on Akari’s Ezra Madrigal that could have given them the winning point.

The officials, however, ruled against the challenge, allowing the Chargers to extend the match and eventually clinch a come-from-behind win.

PVL Commissioner Sherwin Malonzo, however, addressed the issue moments after the match and said that based on the FIVB rule book Madrigal had not committed a net fault with both her feet already on the floor and that the contact with the net was a second motion away from ball play.

“At the same time, PLDT called for a mid-rally challenge. The consequence of doing a mid-rally challenge is that if it’s denied or unsuccessful, the point goes to the opponent,” he said.

“If it had been successful, the point would have been theirs, but based on the interpretation of our referees and the FIVB casebook, which we followed, since it was away from the play, it’s not considered a net fault,” he added.

PLDT thanked its fans for the support as some rallied on social media to defend its side.

“And we cannot thank enough the fans who fought for us and with us. Your love for our favorite sport is undeniable,” the statement read.

“The High Speed Hitters are in the business of inspiring the next generation of athletes who will one day play in the big leagues. So to the kids watching all of this unfold, whatever adversity that comes along the way, please continue to fight. Because we will,” it added.

With the development, the High Speed Hitters will face the Cignal HD Spikers for the bronze medal at 4 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 2, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum before the 6 p.m. tussle between Akari and Creamline.

Meanwhile, sources said the Farm Fresh Foxies are slated to replace the  High Speed Hitters in the PVL Invitational Conference scheduled this week

The development came after the High Speed Hitters requested to pull out of the Invitationals due to player injuries.

The PLDT management, though, clarified that the decision was finalized days before the team’s semis loss to Akari.

The Invitationals feature reigning champion Kurashiki Ablaze of Japan and EST Cola of Thailand, along with the top four teams in the Reinforced Conference: Akari, Creamline, Cignal and PLDT.

The Foxies are coming off an eighth place finish in the Reinforced Conference, where they lost to the Chargers in the quarterfinals.