Judith Abil was perhaps thinking her volleyball career is over. She played in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) after graduating from the University of the East where she honed her skills and had a starring role in the school's UAAP campaign.
But then her PVL team, the Nxled Chamelons, released her in 2023 and her life changed dramatically. Humbled when she was cut, she took her talent elsewhere and landed a spot with the COMELEC Suffragettes in the UNTV Volleyball League.
Not as glamorous as the PVL but she was able to continue her volleyball life, kept her busy as she waited to resurrect her career.
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It hasn't come yet but if her performance in the PVL Combine is an indication, there's a strong possibility she might make a comeback in the pioneering professional volleyball league.
Abil, 27, an outside hitter, is one of 11 free agents who participated on opening day of the league’s first-ever Draft Combine, an activity that is essential for recruitment in the PVL.
Known for her quirky on-court antics at UE, free agency could be her long-awaited pipeline back to the PVL.
During the Combine, Abil completed 33 repetitions in the one-minute push-ups, reached 22.93 inches (standing) and 289 cm (with approach) in the vertical jump, 217 cm in the standing broad jump and recorded the second-fastest times in the modified agility T-test (6.75 seconds) and 60-meter shuttle run (15.19 seconds).
Observers said those were promising numbers and she is hoping some PVL teams would notice. Since she left, she said it has been her dream to return to top level competition.
The desire heightened when the PVL said free agents were welcome to join the Combine.
“Nu’ng naglabas ng (announcement) si PVL sa free agents, maraming nag-message (that she join the Combine)," she said. "Parang nag-lakas loob na rin ako na what if mag-send ako (ng application) sa PVL as a free agent."
Without an agent or manager to take care of the small details, Abili took the plunge all by herself and submitted her application. She did not disappoint and showed the coaches and managers present that she was ready.
“Sobrang laking opportunity siya para sa’ming mga free agents na walang manager na humahawak sa’min para maipakita kung anong meron kaming skills talaga. wala kaming back-up na tumutulong sa min, yung skills lang talaga ma-offer namin," she said.
After the Combine, her fate is completely out of her hands.
“Kaya sana po sa all teams ng PVL, sana may makakuha (sa’kin) kahit isa.”
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