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].”
