Fifty-seven players have made the final cut in the official list of rookie aspirants for the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Draft on Sunday at the Novotel Manila.
Three were trimmed down from the initial 60 prospects that declared for the second staging of the draft after failing to complete the required documents.
Despite the omission, this year’s draft class is rich in talent from collegiate standouts to overseas-based players with international experience.
Bella Belen of National University is expected to be called first to the stage as Capital1 is keen on tapping the services of the three-time University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Most Valuable Player as the No. 1 overall pick.
The three-time UAAP champion joined the hopefuls on the second day of the two-day Draft Combine held over the weekend at the Paco Arena.
Also eligible for the formal draft festivities are Belen’s college teammates Erin Pangilinan, Sheena Toring, Pearl An Denura and Jerrymie Ann Turaray.
Joining the fray are De La Salle University products Alleiah Malaluan, Baby Jyne Soreno, Julyana Tolentino, and Jessa Ordiales, as well as Adamson University’s May Ann Nuique, Ayesha Juegos, Jules Lopena, Aliah Marce, Kylene Villegas and May Roque.
Alexis Miner and Lyann de Guzman of Ateneo de Manila University; Jean Asis, Chenie Tagaod, Ann Monares, and Lyka Bautista of Far Eastern University; Pia Abbu and Renee Penafiel of University of Santo Tomas; Riza Nogales of University of the East and Nica Celis of University of the Philippines round out the UAAP bunch.
Also on the list is the youngest applicant 20-year-old Angela Jackson of UP Integrated School and the oldest in the batch, 39-year-old Rose Joy Pinuela of Olivarez College.
Two Filipino-American setters with notable overseas experience in 6-foot-1 Alohi Robins-Hardy and Central Washington University standout Tia Andaya have thrown their names in the mix.
Seventeen players from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) led by Season 97 MVP Mycah Go have secured their spots on the list.
Joining Go are Kristine Adante, Cherry Mae Cuenca, and Pauline de Guzman of Arellano University; Angelique Ledesma and Lea Tapang of Letran College; Jhan Pauline Fortuno and Jamaica Villena of Emilio Aguinaldo College; Maliey Amante, Karyla Jasareno, and Jerry Lyn Laurente of Jose Rizal University; Zonxi Jane Dahab and Joan Doguna of Lyceum of the Philippines University; Jan Gregorio and Reyann Canete of San Beda University; Von Dimaculangan of San Sebastian College; and Winnie Bedana of University of Perpetual Help System Dalta.
Filipino-Canadian prospects Yveian Orpiano (Concordia University of Edmonton), Reinali Calisin (Lawrence Technological University), Clara Serrano (Olds College), and Divine Cortez (University of Saskatchewan) will try their luck to play in the PVL and follow the footsteps of PLDT star Savi Davison and Creamline libero Aleiah Torres.
Shane Carmona, Erika Deloria, and Zenneth Perolino of Enderun College; Ivy Aquino of Asian Institute of Maritime Studies; Gerlie Trilles of CIT Colleges of Paniqui Foundation; and Eika Bucog of LPU-Batangas round out the list of prospects.
Unfortunately, Arellano’s Nenita Padua, Fil-Canadian Mary Ann Rioflorido, and University of the Cordilleras’ Ezriah Martinez were cut after failing to submit the complete documentary requirements in time.
Galeries Tower will select second, followed by Farm Fresh, Nxled, Zus Coffee, Cignal, Choco Mucho, Chery Tiggo, PLDT, Akari, Petro Gazz and Creamline.