Age is just a number, so the saying goes.

For Premier Volleyball League (PVL) aspirants Angela Jackson and Rose Pinuela, being the youngest and the oldest in the latest batch of rookie hopefuls, respectively, won’t hinder them from trying their luck to realize their dreams.

At 39, Pinuela could be more than a decade older than the rest in the 60-woman list who declared for the Draft on Sunday at the Novotel, but she shares the same desire to build a career in the pro ranks.

The former Olivarez College open spiker has learned to tune out criticisms, discrimination and doubts about her decision to pursue her passion amid tight competition against younger, more experienced and familiar names from the collegiate ranks.

“I’m hearing a lot of criticisms like ‘Di mo kaya yan,’ but thank God, I’m here,” the 5-foot-7 spiker said during the first day of the Draft Combine over the weekend at the Paco Arena.

“I just want to pursue my passion in volleyball because this is my dream,” she added.

Pinuela had a brief volleyball stint before entering the world of modeling.

Although admittedly, she’ll have to go through the proverbial eye of the needle to get her name called on Draft night – if she makes the cut in the final list of draftees – Pinuela is brimming with positivity.

“I may not come from the (UAAP), NCAA or, you know, from popular schools but I’ll try my very best to join and play here (PVL). It’s nerve-wracking, of course, but I have to fight for what I want. Laban lang,” she said.

Jackson, on the other hand, wants to carve her place in the PVL despite bypassing the usual route of building stock by playing in collegiate leagues.

The 20-year-old has little college volleyball experience after being a part of University of Santo Tomas pool but is determined to bet it all in a leap of faith.

In fact, the 5-foot-9 opposite spiker planned to enter the PVL after her high school stint with University of the Philippines Integrated School.

Unfortunately, the PVL implemented a minimum age limit of 21 years old when it introduced the Rookie Draft last year.

“My mentor was actually planning for me to go straight to pro after high school. By the time that I graduated high school, PVL introduced the age limit ng 21 years old,” she said.

“But now, and with the draft, I feel like it’s easier, the process it’s more streamlined,” Jackson added.

With just a few weeks before she turns 21, Jackson grabbed the opportunity.

“So, I have taken it since I turned 21,” she said.

Although relatively inexperienced, Jackson embraces the challenge and firmly believes his young age and willingness to learn will be her edge.

“I’m very confident in terms of my blocking skills. I’m hardworking. So, I’ll be working hard to reach whatever expectation that they want to impose on me. And I’ll work very, very hard to reach that certain level that the PVL sets,” Jackson vowed.