Tag: combine

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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Julia Coronel shines in PVL Rookie Draft combine

On: By: admin


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.