Tag: PVL

Julia Coronel to bring versatility in PVL

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Julia Coronel during the final day of the PVL Rookie Draft combine.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Julia Coronel believes her versatility and athleticism separate her from the other aspirants in the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft 2024.

Although she has been a setter for the past years, Coronel also listed herself as an opposite spiker, her alternate position. She showed her strengths at the combine, displaying impressive leaping abilities on Wednesday, topping the standard vertical jump at 27.78 inches, and placing second in the vertical jump with approach and standing broad jump, with distances of 316.0 centimeters and 248.9 cm, respectively.

“Nilagay ko din yung pagiging opposite ko so at least whichever position ang kailanganin ako yun ang ifu-fulfill ko,” said Coronel, who still played setter on the final day of the combine at GameVille Ball Park before leaving early with Thea Gagate due to their Alas Pilipinas’ commitments.

READ: Julia Coronel shines in PVL Rookie Draft combine

With her teammate Gagate the presumptive No.1 pick of ZUS Coffee, Coronel hopes to make it to the first round as she is determined to help whoever team drafts her on July 8 at Novotel.

“I would say it really depends kung ano yung kailanganin nung mga unang magpi-pick na team so hoping siyempre I am one of the top picks or sa may bandang kalagitnaan kung kakayanin,” said the La Salle playmaker. 

“I’ve been saying din na I am a very versatile player so whatever is needed of me I am willing to fulfill that,” she added.

Coronel, armed with her experience with Alas Pilipinas under the leadership of eight-time PVL Best Setter Jia De Guzman, relished her time to compete with her fellow Lady Spikers, Gagate, Leila Cruz, and Maicah Larroza as well as the other 43 other rookie aspirants and free agents.

READ: PVL rookie aspirants Thea Gagate, Julia Coronel focused on Alas stint

“I would say kakaibang experience siya kasi kumbaga pinaghalohalo kami lahat na players and sa set namin nakalaban ko sila Thea and Maicah so in a way medyo new din yun for me and nakakatuwa kasi grabe yung talent nung bawat player na nandito,” she said.

From settling for third place in the UAAP Season 86 to earning a chance to play for Alas including a historic bronze medal in the AVC Challenge Cup, the 5-foot-9 setter admitted that a lot of things are “happening a bit too fast” in her volleyball career as she juggles her studies and Alas duties.

“I am just here taking on every challenge that comes on me and pagbubutihan ko lang talaga sa bawat sitwasyon na ibibigay sakin,” said Coronel, who will see action in the FIVB Challenger Cup against Vietnam on July 5 at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

“Ang priority ko talaga is the national team for the time being and I hope na yung future PVL team ko rin po will be understanding of that kasi I am not there just to play but to also serve our country,” she added. “Sana mapakiusapan nga (PVL team) na priority muna national team for the time being kasi it’s still national team period so once that is over that’s when I’ll be fully committed [to my PVL team].”



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Jewelle Bermillo hopes for fresh start in her PVL return bid

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Libero Jewelle Bermillo is looking to return to the PVL. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Among the 47 rookie aspirants, libero Jewelle Bermillo was the lone player who experienced playing in the PVL when the league was still under semiprofessional status in 2019 with the defunct BaliPure Water Defenders.

Her last PVL action didn’t exactly play out the way she wanted as the former student-athlete from San Sebastian College went viral for the wrong reason when her import teammate Danijela Dzakovic hit her on the nape after a digging miscommunication.

That bizarre scene between teammates has marked Bermillo even until now as she expects to see it again on social media as it will mark its fifth anniversary on June 29.

LIST: Applicants for the first ever PVL Rookie Draft

“The impact is really huge. It’s shocking what happened because it’s the first time it happened,” said Bermillo, who forgave the import right away after she apologized and hugged her after the incident.

“It always comes up. Every month, someone tags me. Especially on June 29 because that’s when it happened, so it’s coming up soon, and someone will tag me again even though it happened five years ago.”

Five years since the incident, Bermillo is hoping to start fresh as she enters the PVL draft and reintroduces herself through her skills and better game in the professional scene.

READ: Danijela Dzakovic gets reprimand from PVL after hitting teammate

“What I brought there is, of course, to be more aggressive, to be more aware of who I’m with inside the court, and the number one thing is communication. Because that’s really what was lost. We had a lack of communication, which is why it happened before,” said the libero.

Reigniting the passion

FILE–Jewelle Bermillo during her time with BaliPure in the PVL Draft 2024

FILE–Jewelle Bermillo during her time with BaliPure in the PVL.

“I hope it doesn’t happen again. I’m really excited because this will be a big help to us, having this reinforcement so we can level up more or bring [the experience] to the national team, and improve our volleyball community even more.”

A lot has changed since Bermillo last played in the PVL. Her previous team is no longer part of the league while the league has grown into a 12-team field.

After playing for the Lady Stags and for Biñan in the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association, Bermillo believes joining the pros is still her calling.

“This is my calling.  I want to try to rediscover my passion from before. Maybe now is the time for me to play again.” said Bermillo. “Nowadays, everyone, even the rookies, are really skilled. I can’t say anything because even though they’re rookies, their skills are already at a professional level.”

“I want to enhance or develop my skills further so I can contribute more to the team, wherever I end up playing,” she added.

Seeking to return to the PVL as a pro this time, Bermillo brings her learnings from San Sebastian coach Roger Gorayeb, who also scouted players in the combine for Capital1. 



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“Coach just told me to showcase the skills I’ve learned from him, and of course, whether I get picked or not, not to be ashamed. I should just show who I really am and the skills I have,” Bermillo said. “

“The experience I had with Coach Roger during college, I’ll bring everything I learned from him to the pros. I hope to improve on what I learned from him so I can contribute more to whichever team I join.”

Galeries eyeing outside spiker at No. 3 in PVL Rookie Draft

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Galeries Tower coaching staff at the PVL Rookie Draft combine.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Galeries Tower looks to continue building its young lineup through the 2024 PVL Rookie Draft on July 8 as it targets a scorer for its third pick and also eyeing a setter and middle blocker in the succeeding rounds.

The Highrisers coaching staff, led by coach Lerma Giron and deputy Godfrey Okumu, were in full force on the final day of the draft combine at GameVille Ball Park on Wednesday.

They already have names on top of their minds but they didn’t divulge to protect their target players.

“We could get one of those positions. The setter, outside spiker, even an opposite, or a middle blocker. These players really add value because they’re just coming into the PVL. They’re new. The difference will be the one who settles first are the one who will add more value to their teams,” said Okumu, whose squad earned the third pick in the lottery.

“I think there’s a lot of talent. As I’ve said before I came to the Philippines, there’s a lot of talent in Philippine volleyball,” he added.

READ: Thea Gagate to be picked No. 1 by ZUS Coffee in PVL Rookie Draft

The Kenyan coach said their priority is an outside spiker, who can be a game-changer for their team, which only had a total of four wins in the past two All-Filipino Conferences. 

“In our team, we hope that the person we will get will come in settled and get to know the team better. That’s the most important thing, building the team together. With the people who are in and the people coming in,” Okumu said.

Okumu said that they will also bring a Brazilian outside spiker as an import but he didn’t disclose the name as the management will announce it in the coming days. 

READ: PVL: Alyssa Eroa grateful for chance to shine with Galeries

“We have a Brazilian girl, she’s coming in soon and we hope that she can fill the gap of one of the outside spiker positions. We cannot name it for now, we wanna make it official. Sometimes in the Philippines, we like fiesta. We wait for the right time like we have a big feast, we eat, and then we name names. I think it’s cool,” he said.

With a chance to bolster their roster through the PVL draft, Okumu is optimistic about the Highrisers’ future in the pros. 

“Last season, when we started, we had new players and we didn’t have time to train together with the new players so by the team the league was coming to an end, that’s when we were kinda getting to know each other, and beginning to work together. That’s why there’s a struggle in the beginning and by the end it is strong. That’s why we believe this time, we will start strong,” he said.



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Fil-Canadian libero makes case for roster spot in PVL combine

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Fil-Canadian libero Aleiah Torres during the PVL Rookie Draft combine.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino-Canadian libero Aleiah Torres excelled in several tests in the first-ever PVL Rookie Draft Combine, achieving a group-best 50 reps in the one-minute pushup and recording the fastest time in the modified agility T-test with 5.98 seconds on Tuesday at GameVille Ball Park in Mandaluyong City.

The Brock University product is among the 47 aspirants hoping to earn a roster spot from the 12 PVL teams in the inaugural Rookie Draft on July 8 at Novotel.

Torres, whose parents lived in Cavite and Tarlac before she was born and raised in Canada, applied for the draft, wanting to be part of the PVL’s growth and emergence as one of the country’s top leagues.

“I really like watching the teams here. The crowd’s really exciting. Everyone’s always involved when they’re watching the games,” she said. “I just thought it is super exciting and being able to play in the Philippines is just super special for me since I have lots of family here.”

In fact, Torres is hoping to meet Petro Gazz’s reigning All-Filipino MVP Brooke Van Sickle, Choco Mucho star Sisi Rondina, and her fellow Filipino-Canadian Savi Davison of PLDT.

READ: Almonte hopes to redeem self in PVL after down final year with Adamson

The 5-foot-4 libero, who started playing volleyball at 12 years old, is bringing her championship experience from Canada to the PVL.

“I played club volleyball and then I played in a university at Brock. I played for the varsity team there. We were really successful, we won three championships so hopefully I can bring my experience and my winning championship and mindset to whatever team I get drafted to,” Torres said.

READ: Unheralded player from Marinduque chases PVL dream

Torres, though, is tempering her expectations in the upcoming draft. All she can promise if a team drafts her is her athleticism, steady floor defense, and high volleyball IQ.

“I don’t really have too many expectations. I just came to have a lot of fun and play really good volleyball. Hopefully, I can contribute to whatever team I get drafted to and just experience everything that the Philippines has to offer,” she said.

“I think as a libero, I can read the game really well especially from the backcourt, playing defense and seeing what my teammates should be doing up in the net. I’ll let them know how many hitters they have or attack, what’s open for them. So, I think I really have high IQ on the court, good leadership, and just I think I’m really fast so I like to chase down some balls.”



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Unheralded player from Marinduque chases PVL dream

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Jamie Solina during the PVL Rookie Draft combine.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Unheralded setter Jamie Solina may not be coming from an NCAA or UAAP or any top school from Manila but it didn’t stop her from chasing her PVL dream all the way from Marinduque.

The 23-year-old playmaker from Marinduque State University came from a long volleyball journey before being part of the league’s historic first-ever 47-woman draft class in the rookie combine session on Tuesday at GameVille Ball Park in Mandaluyong City. 

“Nung elementary po ako hanggang Grade 9 po is dito po ako sa Maynila naglalaro po ako sa QC, tapos napunta po akong Caloocan, unexpected din po nangyari sa family namin kaya nag-two years ako sa Marinduque po. Then since sa sobrang pagmamahal ko po sa sports, and gusto ko maging pro po, nag-try out po ako, nag-senior high po ako sa Makati po. Paiba-iba po ako ng [school],” Solina told reporters after participating in the anthropometry for body measurements, as well as strength, jump, speed and agility, anaerobic, and speed endurance tests.

READ: Thea Gagate to be picked No. 1 by ZUS Coffee in PVL Rookie Draft

The PVL Draft wasn’t her first shot at her dream to play in Manila as she wanted to try her luck for a UAAP or NCAA team but the COVID-19 pandemic derailed her goal.

“Wala po akong nagawa since wala rin po ako gano’n kakilala. Kahit sa Marinduque pa rin po ako nag-college, tas walang women’s volleyball doon, to be honest, so puro ako self-training, four years po,” Solina said. “Kung ano lang po ‘yung naiwan sa aking experience nung junior high ako saka senior high na dalawang taon, ‘yun lang ‘yung ginamit ko all throughout nung college ko po para maging kondisyon pa rin po ‘yung katawan ko kahit wala po akong exposure sa malalaking competitions po.”

Although she didn’t play in the big leagues, the 5-foot-1 Solina has been asking players from Manila about proper training, which she applied to her workout back home.

“Nagtatanong po ako sa ibang players na naiwan ko dito sa (Maynila) kung ano pa po ‘yung mga workouts nila, ginagawa ko lang po mag-isa sa Marinduque. So sariling sikap po talaga,” Solina said. 

She may not have the caliber and experience compared to the 46 other aspirants, led by Alas Pilipinas stars Thea Gagate and Julia Coronel, but she still grabbed the opportunity with courage so she won’t have any regrets.

READ: PVL draft quality takes hit but quantity is promising

“May part po sa akin na pinaghihinaan po ako parang ngayon kasi siyempre ‘yung height po at mga kasama ko from NCAA and UAAP,” she said.

“Hindi ko po in-expect na ipo-post ‘yung list ng mga natanggap. Nabigla po ako doon sa mga kasama ko. So nag-doubt po talaga ako sa sarili ko na itutuloy ko pa ba? Kasi ‘yun ang lalakas talaga [ng mga kasama ko],” said Solina.

“Dahil sa mga kababayan ko po sa Marinduque at sa mga naging ka-team ko po and mga ibang coaches ko po, sabi nila is ituloy ko pa rin kasi ito na ‘yung opportunity na matagal ko na daw hinihintay. Doon ko na daw po ibuhos dito sa PVL Draft kahit ‘di ako ganun kakondisyon po kasi wala naman akong coach, wala po akong program na maayos. Sila po ‘yung nag-push sa akin na ituloy ko pa rin.”

More than her wish to be drafted on July 8 at Novotel, Solina hopes her entry and courage to compete with the top student-athletes in Manila will inspire the young generation in Marinduque to believe and gain more support in playing volleyball

“Kahit ano daw po mangyari andiyan pa rin sila sakin, ‘yun po ‘yung magiging starting ng province po namin sa Marinduque na tumapang po ‘yung mga batang manlalaro na sumubok din po sa Maynila,” she said.

Solina, who solicited her way to Manila and currently living in her friend’s house in Bacood, Sta. Mesa for the draft activities, bared that her biggest inspirations are Alas’ multi-awarded setter Jia De Guzman and three-time PVL MVP Alyssa Valdez.

“Noong kinonvert po ako na setter, matunog ‘yung pangalan niya nung college pa lang po siya. Nung nanood po siya sa ‘min sa Milo Best, isa po ako sa mga tumatakbo sa kaniya para magpa-picture,” she said. “Tapos pangalawa po si Alyssa Valdez. Kasi ano po, kasi isa po sa mga binigay sa aming foundation ‘pag magiging player po is attitude po talaga. Siya yung role model namin, down to earth po.”

Even before the draft, Solina went to the AVC Challenge Cup where she met De Guzman, who won the Best Setter and led Alas to a historic bronze medal.



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“Super fan po ako ng mga volleyball players sa UAAP. Since elementary po ako lagi po ako nanonood ng games. ‘Yung makita ko po sila na naglalaro sa court, sobrang naiiyak ako. Parang sobrang pagmamahal ko sa volleyball. Tapos nakikita ko sila naglalaro. Feeling ko naglalaro na din ako,” said Solina.

“’Yung pagiging fan ko po sa mga professional volleyball player, ‘yun din po ‘yung nakatulong sa akin para i-try po sumali dito sa PVL Draft. Kung magkaroon man po ng opportunity na matanggap po ako, paghihirapan ko naman po. Naniniwala naman po ako na lahat ng nangyayari, sa training din po talaga pino-program, inaayos.”

Almonte aims to redeem self in PVL after down year with Adamson

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Lucille Almonte, center, during the PVL Rookie Draft combine.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Lucille Almonte is raring to redeem herself after a subpar final year with Adamson in the UAAP as she hopes to prove her worth in PVL.

Almonte, who had a reduced playing time when Adamson missed the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball Final Four, may not have the best exit in her collegiate career but she’s hoping to move forward and regain her lethal offensive form in the pros.

“My mindset is to work harder because the games here in the pros have a different intensity. So I have to continue striving and making sacrifices,” Almonte, who is among the 46 aspirants in the upcoming PVL Rookie Draft on July 8 at Novotel, told the reporters in Filipino after the first day of the combine at GameVille Ball Park in Mandaluyong City.

READ: Unheralded player from Marinduque chases PVL dream

The former Adamson captain said her coaches, led by JP Yude, encouraged her to turn pro for a chance to take her game to the next level.

“My coaches told me that I have to turn pro.  So I can spread my wings in the PVL. And I also need to come out of my comfort zone,” said Almonte, who played three seasons in the UAAP.

Her batchmates Louie Romero, Rizza Cruz, and Kate Santiago as well as one-and-done star Trisha Tubu are already in the pros after they left Adamson last year following a bronze medal finish in the UAAP Season 85.

READ: Julia Coronel shines in PVL Rookie Draft combine

Almonte chose to stay with her teammates and showed her loyalty to the school. But now, she’s moving on to the next chapter of her career with her fellow Lady Falcons AA Adolfo, Ishie Lalongisip, Nikka Yandoc, Angge Alcantara, Karen Verdeflor, and Sharya Ancheta.

After a tiring first day at the combine, the reality of being a pro player has sunk into Almonte’s mind and she’s up for the challenge of competing with her fellow aspirants for a PVL roster spot.

“This draft combine may be tiring but this is the reality of being a pro player. This will boost our confidence since this is the biggest volleyball league in the country,” Almonte said. “I hope everyone gets a chance and opportunity to play for the PVL teams.”



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Julia Coronel shines in PVL Rookie Draft combine

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Julia Coronel during the PVL Rookie Draft combine.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas setter Julia Coronel shone brightly in the PVL Rookie Draft Combine anthropometry for body measurements, as well as strength, jump, speed and agility, anaerobic, and speed endurance tests on Tuesday at Gameville Ball Park in Mandaluyong City.

Her La Salle and Alas teammate Thea Gagate may be the top pick of ZUS Coffee but Coronel was impressive on the first day of the combine, where she showed her impressive leaping abilities, topping the standard vertical jump at 27.78 inches, and placing second in the vertical jump with approach and standing broad jump, with distances of 316.0 centimeters and 248.9 cm, respectively.

The ZUS Coffee-bound Gagate stood the tallest at 189 centimeters and had the longest wingspan at 185 cm. She also ranked first in the vertical jump with approach, tallying 317.0 cm.

READ: Thea Gagate to be picked No. 1 by ZUS Coffee in PVL Rookie Draft

The shortest draft applicant was Lian Macasiray, a former libero from DLSU-Dasmariñas who stands at 148 cm.

Meanwhile, Filipino-Canadian Aleiah Torres, a libero, excelled in several tests, achieving a group-best 50 reps in the one-minute pushup and recording the fastest time in the modified agility T-test with 5.98 seconds.

Setter Angelica Alcantara of Adamson University was the fastest in the 60-meter shuttle run, completing the course in just 14.01 seconds.

Pierre Abellana, a wing spiker from the University of Santo Tomas, also performed well, leading in pushups (43 reps), standing vertical jump (25.0 inches), and 60m shuttle run (14.35 seconds) ahead of the inaugural rookie draft set for July 8 at the Novotel Ibis Styles, the official venue partner of the country’s only professional volleyball league.

ZUS Coffee coach Jerry Yee, Creamline’s Sherwin Meneses, Choco Mucho’s Dante Alinsunurin, Cignal’s Shaq Delos Santos, Petro Gazz coach Koji Tsuzurabara and program director Oliver Almadro, PLDT’s Rald Ricafort, and representatives from Galeries Tower, Akari, and Farm Fresh scouted the combine, which also featured 11 free agents in the morning session.

READ: Thea Gagate, Julia Coronel headline PVL Rookie Draft

Eyeing for a direct hiring consideration, Mer Jauculan, formerly of Strong Group, stood out.

Jauculan, a 5-foot-4 spiker, topped five of the six tests, including 50 reps in the one-minute push-up, 32.18 inches in the standing vertical jump, 265 cm in the standing broad jump, 6.67 seconds in the modified agility t-test, and 14.34 seconds in the 60-meter shuttle run.

Other participating free agents included Judith Abil, Jan Cane, Chumcee Caole, Lhara Clavano, Dana Del Rosario, Cathrina Dizon, Sheeka Espinosa, Elaine Juanillo, Pia Sarmiento, and Menchie Tubiera.

Three free agents, AJ Jingco, Menchie Tubiera, and Souzan Raslan were absent on Day 1, while all the 47 rookies were present.

Day 2 on Wednesday will see all the draft hopefuls and free agents compete in scrimmage matches.



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ZUS Coffee will select Gagate at No.1. Capita1 will pick at No.2, followed by lottery teams Galeries Tower and Farm Fresh. 

Nxled holds the fifth pick, followed by Akari, Cignal, PLDT, Chery Tiggo, Petro Gazz, runner-up Choco Mucho, and All-Filipino Conference champion Creamline.

Thea Gagate to be picked No. 1 by ZUS Coffee in PVL Rookie Draft

On: By: admin


Thea Gagate will be picked number one by the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in the upcoming PVL Rookie Draft.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — ZUS Coffee coach Jerry Yee revealed the Thunderbelles are selecting Thea Gagate as the top pick in the PVL Rookie Draft on July 8 at Novotel, barring any change of heart from the management.

Yee on Tuesday bared to the reporters that they’re eyeing the projected top prospect of the 2024 class, Gagate, who will be taking her height and experience from La Salle and Alas Pilipinas to the pro scene.

“Consensus naman yun kung sinong number one jan kasi mas kailangan mo yun e. Height, mobility,” said Yee, referring to the 6-foot-2 Gagate.

“Wala pang approval ng management but we all agreed on the first name we wanted, si Thea sana. So I’m here to look at the 13th pick.”

READ: ZUS Coffee gets top pick for inaugural PVL Rookie Draft

With a 40 percent chance of getting the top pick, the Thunderbelles were drawn by reigning All-Filipino Conference MVP Brooke Van Sickle of Petro Gazz as the No.1 overall pick in the lottery on Monday evening at TV5 Media Center.

Yee, the former Farm Fresh coach who moved to ZUS Coffee, is confident that the management will approve their decision on picking the three-time UAAP 1st Best Middle Blocker, who won a championship with the Lady Spikers last year.

“I think the management they have long been in contact. Naguusap naman sila,” Yee bared.

However, Gagate’s availability is up in the air in the Reinforced Conference as she’s part of Alas Pilipinas, which will compete in the FIVB Challenger Cup on July 5 and SEA V.League in August.

READ: Thea Gagate, Julia Coronel headline PVL Rookie Draft

Yee said they are also eyeing to tap Japanese spiker Asaka Tamaru, who led guest team Kurashiki to last year’s Invitational championship.

“Si coach Shota Sato yung wife niya is Asaka Tamaru and nakita ko sa Japan. Pwede.  Talking kami with her and the new girls and a new chance to be here,” said Yee of Tamaru, who is part of Farm Fresh’s coaching staff.

More than selecting Gagate, Yee is seeking to draft more players from the 13th pick and the succeeding rounds. 

“Hopefully, hindi masyadong kumuha ng younger players yung other teams. Pero at ZUS marami pa kaming slots na pupunuin, one on each position pa lang ang meron or two. Usually you have to have three, four per position,” the ZUS Coffee coach said.

Gagate and the 46 aspirants graced the first day of the combine to undergo anthropometry, which includes a one-minute push-up, standing vertical jump, vertical jump with approach, standing broad jump, modified agility t-test, and 60m shuttle run.

ZUS Coffee, formerly Strong Group Athletics, lost all its 11 games in its debut in the All-Filipino Conference with Yee, who transferred from Farm Fresh to its sister team, bringing NCAA ‘three-peat’ champion College of Saint Benilde players led by Season 99 MVP and Best Setter Cloanne Mondoñedo, Finals MVP Gayle Pascual, Jade Gentapa, and Michelle Gamit.

“Challenging kasi kumbaga hindi na pwede yung sasabihin bagong team ka tapos ganun yung reason mo para panget yung performance mo. At least for us, ayaw namin ng ganun,” said Yee. “Laban lang. Dito nagsisimula, makakuha kami good pieces and from there  you build on that and let’s see kung pano kami [magwork].



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“Ang importante sa amin is yung chemistry namin. Confident sa training , program, sipag na nandito kami present, yung results hindi namin hawak yun excited kami. Gusto na namin magsimula,” he added.

ZUS Coffee gets top pick for inaugural PVL Rookie Draft

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The last three PVL MVPs, Brooke Van Sickle of Petro Gazz, Sisi Rondina of Choco Mucho, and Ces Molina of Cignal, will draw the draft pick order for ZUS Coffee, Capital1, Galeries Tower, and Farm Fresh.

MANILA, Philippines — The odds were in ZUS Coffee’s favor as it secured the first overall pick of the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft on July 8 at Novotel in Quezon City.

With a 40 percent chance of getting the top pick, the Thunderbelles were drawn by reigning All-Filipino Conference MVP Brooke Van Sickle of Petro Gazz as the No.1 overall pick in the lottery on Monday evening at TV5 Media Center.

ZUS Coffee, formerly Strong Group Athletics, lost all its 11 games in its debut in the All-Filipino Conference.

LIST: Applicants for the first ever PVL Rookie Draft

The next three picks were being drawn as of posting time in the league’s first-ever lottery, supervised by Commissioner Sherwin Malonzo and the Games and Amusement Board.

ZUS Coffee coach Jerry Yee will have the luxury of selecting the top prospect of the 47 Rookie Aspirants to build on his roster bannered by NCAA ‘three-peat’ champion College of Saint Benilde players Cloanne Mondoñedo, Gayle Pascual, Jade Gentapa, and Michelle Gamit.

“We’re very happy for ZUS Coffee because we were the first pick so we have a bigger chance or better chance kung sino yung pipiliin namin kasi since kami yung first, mas makakapili kami kung sino talaga yung best for the team,” said Farm Fresh assistant coach Justine Dorog, who spoke for sister team ZUS Coffee. “I hope na yung first pick namin, makatulong talaga siya sa team.”

Capital1, represented by tea, onwer Mandy Romero, earned the second overall pick as drawn by Choco Mucho star Sisi Rondina after having a 30 percent chance in the lottery.

The Solar Spikers, under veteran coach Roger Gorayeb, finished with one win in their debut.

Drawn by reigning Invitational Conference MVP Ces Molina of Cignal, the Galeries Tower(20% chance) and Farm Fresh (10%), who both finished with identical 3-8 records in the All-Filipino, will pick third and fourth, respectively.

READ: PVL draft quality takes hit but quantity is promising

Nxled holds the fifth pick, followed by Akari, Cignal, PLDT, Chery Tiggo, Petro Gazz, runner-up Choco Mucho, and All-Filipino Conference champion Creamline.

The 47 aspirants along with free agents will see action in a two-day combine on Tuesday and Wednesday at GameVille Ballpark in Sheridan, Mandaluyong.

Alas Pilipinas players Thea Gagate and Julia Coronel, fellow La Salle Lady Spikers Maicah Larroza and Leila Cruz applied for the draft, along with Adamson Lady Falcons AA Adolfo, Lucille Almonte, Nikka Yandoc, Angge Alcantara, Karen Verdeflor, and Sharya Ancheta.

Ateneo libero Roma Mae Doromal and Santo Tomas’ Pierre Abellana also threw their names in the pool with University of the Philippines’ Abi Goc, Jewel Encarnacion, and Stephanie Bustrillo. University of the East has three aspirants Dara Nieva (opposite spiker) and liberos Jenina Zeta and Dea Villamor.

NCAA players are also joining with Letran’s Daisy Melendres and Bay Anne de Leon; Arellano’s Dodee Batindaan, Robbie Mae Matawaran, Lorraine Pecana, Donnalyn Paralejas, and Charmina Dino; EAC’s Catherine Almanzan; Lyceum’s Camille Belaro; San Beda’s Maxinne Tayag and Lalaine Arizapa; San Sebastian’s Jewelle Bermillo; and Perpetual Help’s Razel Aldea and Sandra Dayao.



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The draft will also feature Filipinos born and/or raised abroad like Aleiah Torres of Brock University and Nathalie Ramacula of Red River College Polytechnic as well as other players nationwide, Lovely Zapf and Lian Macasiray from DLSU-Dasmarinas, Andrea Jardio of Lyceum-Alabang, Jamie Solina from Marinduque State, Danya Casino of Trinity, and Danivah Aying from USJ-R.

Training pool players from NU, CJ Evangelista, La Salle’s Caroline Santos, Ysabela Bakabak, and Giliana Torres, former UST Tigress Mary Grace Vernaiz, and former UE Lady Warrior Remcel Santos also entered the draft.

The second round will be based on their All-Filipino records having the same order as the first round since lottery teams landed on their respective spots.

PVL: Choco Mucho acquires Dindin Santiago-Manabat from Akari

On: By: admin


FILE–Dindin Santiago Manabat is now with Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the PVL. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Dindin Santiago-Manabat is taking her act to Choco Mucho after her release from Akari ahead of the PVL Reinforced Conference in July.

Multiple sources on Thursday bared to Inquirer Sports that the Flying Titans have acquired Manabat after her switch from Akari to Nxled didn’t push through.

The source, who requested anonymity, didn’t divulge why Manabat requested a release.

READ: PVL: Dindin Manabat all praise for coach, bro-in-law Taka Minowa

Manabat, along with Bang Pineda, Trisha Genesis, and Jaja Maraguinot as well as Roselle Baliton, who is now signed with Galeries Tower, were sent to Nxled, while Akari received Ivy Lacsina, Kamille Cal, Cams Victoria, and Dani Ravena a month ago.

In an attempt to fill in each other’s needs, the sister teams also switched coaches with Taka Minowa now handling the Chargers

After Manabat’s release request was granted, she found her new home at Choco Mucho which will miss former MVP Sisi Rondina and middle blocker Cherry Nunag due to their duties with Alas Pilipinas.

The 30-year-old wing spiker is already training with the Flying Titans, who settled for back-to-back runner-up finishes in the past two All-Filipino Conferences.

Manabat, who has experience playing in Japan and Thailand, has joined her third PVL team as her stay with Akari lasted for more than a year since signing in 2023, ending her seven-year stay with Chery Tiggo, which she led to a breakthrough pro championship in the 2021 bubble with her sister Jaja Santiago.

READ: PVL: Choco Mucho, Alinsunurin hope to overcome stars’ absence

Inquirer sought Akari team manager Mozzy Ravena and Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin for comments but both have yet to respond as of posting time.

In the Collegiate Press Corps awards on Monday evening, Alinsunurin bared the team was eyeing free agents and rookies to fill in the void left by Rondina and Nunag and as Des Cheng and Kat Tolentino continue to recover, but he didn’t disclose names.

Manabat, a former National University star, was the top 11 scorer in the All-Filipino Conference with a total of 112 points as the Chargers couldn’t make it to the semifinals for the past in her four-conference stay but they improved to seventh place in the past two tournaments.

Akari, which hasn’t released a statement about its trade, already played an exhibition game with their new players Lacsina and Cal and returnees Victoria and Ravena. Nxled will bank on Pineda, Genesis, Lycha Ebon, Chiara Permentilla, Jho Maraguinot, and her sister Jaja.



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Nxled holds the fifth pick, followed by Akari, while Choco Mucho will select second to the last from the 47 rookie aspirants, who will have a two-day Draft Combine from June 25 to 26 at Gameville Ballpark in Sheridan, Mandaluyong.