THEY might not be known by their names, but the Enderun duo of Erika Deloria and Zen Perolino are out to introduce themselves by their games.
By going 20th and 21st overall by Chery Tiggo and PLDT, respectively, the Lady Titans’ one-two punch became this PVL Draft's first selections to not come from a UAAP or NCAA school.
READ: WHO WENT WHERE: Full list of players selected in 2025 PVL Draft
Deloria, a multi-awarded 5-foot-5 outside hitter, sees such breakthrough as testament to how one can defy the challenges of not being exposed to the ‘big leagues’ by putting in the work day in and day out.
“Yung exposure talaga, I think that’s the biggest barrier. The intensity of the game, siyempre iba talaga ‘pag UAAP at NCAA eh. Honestly speaking, yung level of intensity ng competition (sa UAAP at NCAA), it’s very high,” Deloria said.
“Ako, kahit nasa baba ako, willing ako magtrabaho para umabot sa taas. Kahit gaano pa ‘yun kahirap, kakayanin ko.”
Throughout her young career, she’d make it a point to break new ground in whatever league she got the chance to play in.
As such, Deloria emerged as the 2024 National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (NAASCU) Most Valuable Player as well as former Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA) best outside spiker.
While her dream of the UAAP, was not meant to be, fate had other plans for her.
“In terms of mapi-pick ‘yung teammates ko, I think malaki ‘yung chance [and] I just believed na makukuha kami kahit siyempre nakakakaba. Marami talagang magaling. Everyone here is talented at naghihhintay lang din ng time nila,” Deloria said.
“Dream ko talaga mag-UAAP. Hindi siya nangyari, pero hindi pa rin ako tumigil and the Lord gave me something better.”
There is always hope
For 5-foot-11 middle blocker Perolino's part, not having the mainstream limelight cast upon them allowed them to shine on their own, wherever and whenever they played.
“I think not having to play enough was something that lacked for us. However, even if we don't have big leagues, whenever we train, every day po we learn and every day we give our best," she said.
“Kaya I feel very honored [to be drafted] kasi it's very unusual. One of the reasons why we're overthinking a lot is that we're not part of the UAAP, [but] beyond the fear, we also have high faith in ourselves, in God, and also in the training that we've been doing with the Enderun coaches.”
The Enderun duo might’ve had to tread tricky waters to reach the ultimate goal, but it does prove at the end of the day that there will always be an opportunity to rise even for those who feel held down by the shackles of obscurity.
“I want to be an inspiration to the people na ‘yung feeling nila dahil ‘di kami kilala, meaning wala nang chance," Perolino said.
“Yung journey ko, hindi siya madali. And if you want something, you need to work hard for it. Kahit ano pa ‘yang hirap, kung dream mo talaga, passion mo talaga, gagawin mo lahat.
“So far, lahat ng pinaghirapan ko, I think it paid off. Ganun lang din ‘yung gusto kong iwan sa mga tao na feeling nila wala nang hope, wala nang chance na makapasok sa PVL.”
Enderun’s secret weapon
Deloria and Perolino’s ascents to the PVL were also made possible by the guidance and tutelage of someone who has handled talents at the highest level of college and pro volleyball.
Manning the charge for Enderun is veteran coach Ariel ‘Dong’ dela Cruz.
Concurrent to his Enderun coaching duties, he is also part of Dante Alinsunurin’s staff for the National University Bulldogs and once with the Philippine men’s volleyball national team.
The moment they were drafted in succession, the Lady Titans duo didn’t forget to tip their hats to the mentor who helped them carve their path to the pros.
“Sobrang happy na rin ako kasi it also brings pride sa school ko. Especially kay coach Dong. Kahit under the radar, in terms na hindi talaga kami nakikita or what, I think he produces good players talaga, quality players talaga. Naghahanap lang din sila ng chance to shine as well,” Deloria said.
Perolino added: “We believe that the system that our coach sa Enderun offered to us, which is coach Dong, [made this possible].
“He’s been a really great coach. The system we have is also the system that the NU men's has and Choco Mucho, which has been proven and tested, so beyond the fear, we also have high faith in ourselves, to God, and also to the training that we've been doing with the Enderun coaches.”
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