Controversy has been rocking the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) since longtime volleyball executive Tony Boy Liao took over as president.

From digging up past liquidation expenses to the filing of a labor case by national coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito of Brazil, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that there’s a concerted effort to embarrass the new leadership so that the confidence of the stakeholders, especially the sponsors, will erode.

Well, it isn’t surprising.

The federation is at odds with the man who styles himself as the most powerful figure in Philippine volleyball. In fact, he claims to wield clout, boasting his rock-solid connections across various sectors from the international federations, to the government, corporate sponsors down to the players and coaches.

For a while, his shame campaign was working.

Word is going around that a prominent figure is reaching out to the players so that they will beg off from joining the PNVF-assembled national squad that will see action in the AVC Asian Women’s Cup in Candon City next month.

The strategy bore fruit. Team captain Jia de Guzman suddenly declined from competing as well as stars like Bella Belen, Maddie Madayag, Vanie Gandler, Justine Jazareno Eya Laure, Alleiah Malaluan and Mars Alba.

Japan-based Alyssa Solomon also said no but promised to join next year while rising star Shaina Nitura agreed to join pending her recovery from an injury.

In short, Liao and the PNVF board are left holding an empty bag. They unite to oust the previous president only to find out that there will be confronting a hornet’s nest of political sabotage. Ouch!

Enter Strong Group Athletics (SGA).

To save the country from a looming disaster when it hosts the Women’s Cup, SGA chief Frank Lao made his entire stable of players at Farm Fresh and ZUS Coffee in the Premier Volleyball League available for national duty. With that, former national team stars Rachel Anne Daquis, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Mylene Paat, Remy Palma, Royse Tubino, Bia General, Ara Galang, Alyssa Eroa and Alohi Robins-Hardy will have a chance to don the national colors anew as well as rising stars Trisha Tubu, Thea Gagate, AC Miner and Cloanne Mondoñedo.

But Lao didn’t stop there. He also made his players in the collegiate ranks available, giving Ange Poyos, Cassie Carballo, and Detdet Pepito of University of Santo Tomas; Caisey Dongallo and Jelai Gajero of University of the Philippines; Zam Nolasco and Cam Bartolome of College of Saint Benilde; and Judiel Nitura and Vanessa Sarie of Letran College a chance to test their mettle in the international arena.

Clearly, the pool that Lao is offering is so deep that national coach Tai Bundit and his deputies can easily form a team that can match — or even surpass — the quality of play of those who walked away.

With Lao jumping to the rescue, the plan to sabotage the formation of Alas Pilipinas and embarrass the PNVF and its hosting of the prestigious continental tourney is slowly fizzling out.

The PNVF owes Lao a massive debt of gratitude. In an economic climate where businesses are tightening their belts, having a patron step up and selflessly bankroll a national program is truly commendable. It’s a crucial ace for the national team program.