PVL sets sights on rookie draft

The euphoria of the record-setting Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference finals has barely fade but the league had already shifted its focus to the future, announcing the opening of applications for the highly anticipated 2025 PVL Rookie Draft.

Petro Gazz’s dramatic victory over 10-time champion Creamline in a sudden-death Game 3 capped a historic six-month-long All-Filipino Conference that captivated fans and showcased the league’s growing stature.

The rest of the order for the first round of the draft is as follows: Zus at fifth, Cignal at sixth, Chery Tiggo at seventh, Choco Mucho at eighth, PLDT at ninth, Akari at 10th, Petro Gazz at 11th and Creamline at 12th.

While no rookies played in the finals, they were among the breakout stars throughout the conference, with standout performances from Thea Gagate of ZUS Coffee, Ishie Lalongisip of Cignal, and Julia Coronel of Galeries Tower. Their impact has further underscored the depth and promise of the league’s future stars.

Encouraged by the PVL’s unprecedented growth and the increasing prominence of young talent, the league officially opens its 2025 Rookie Draft online application on Monday.

Aspiring pros must fill out the application form at http://pvl.ph/draft and email additional required documents to draft@pvl.ph. The application window closes on 23 May, with the final list of applicants to be announced on 4 June.

The PVL Rookie Draft Ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, 7 June.

Meanwhile, applicants must be female at birth, as indicated in a PSA-issued birth certificate. An applicant must be at least 21 years old on or before 31 December 2025. Those below 21 years old must be college graduates. There is no requirement for collegiate playing experience or academic units.

Filipino-foreign applicants must secure a Philippine passport or a receipt indicating the passport’s release before the 23 May deadline.

An applicant who played college ball in the Philippines but not in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) or National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) must submit an endorsement letter from her collegiate coach or athletic director. Those who did not play in either the UAAP or NCAA are required to secure an endorsement letter from a current registered PVL, UAAP or NCAA coach.

Applicants must submit a fit-to-play medical clearance from a licensed physician along with a medical declaration. They must also submit a notarized declaration of no pending obligations with their collegiate or club team prior to applying for the draft.

The draft lottery is scheduled on 26 May.

NXLED will have a 40-percent chance of securing the first overall pick, followed by Capital1 with 30 percent, Farm Fresh with 20 percent, and Galeries Tower with 10 percent.

The rest of the order for the first round of the draft is as follows: Zus at fifth, Cignal at sixth, Chery Tiggo at seventh, Choco Mucho at eighth, PLDT at ninth, Akari at 10th, Petro Gazz at 11th and Creamline at 12th.

The four teams with the combined worst records from the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference (⅓ of the computation) and the 2024-2025 PVL All-Filipino Conference (⅔ of the computation) will participate in the lottery.

Applicants who pass the initial screening will be required to attend the three-day PVL Draft Combine from 30 May to 1 June.

Attendance is mandatory for all invited applicants. The event will include physical measurements, medical tests, interviews, athletic tests and scrimmages in front of coaches and officials.