WHEN it comes to La Salle stars in the inaugural Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Rookie Draft, one would think of ‘big names’ off the bat like presumptive No. 1 and 2 picks Thea Gagate and Leila Cruz, and Alas Pilipinas setter Julia Coronel.
But for another Lady Spiker in Maicah Larroza, whose name is also in the 47-player draft mix, she’s out to prove that she is more than just an afterthought.
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“Added motivation ‘yun siyempre as teammates ko sila (sa La Salle). Gusto ko rin makalaro sa level of play nila,” said Larroza.
What La Salle’s Negrense ‘magic bunot’ lacked in height, she more than makes up for in heart, as her desire to blaze her own trail away from her top-billed ex-teammates led to a solid performance in the 2024 PVL Rookie Draft Combine.
The 5-foot-5 outside hitter, who also took part in the draft combine activities as a libero, was well within the upper-thirds of the 47-player pool for most of the six skill tests.
Larroza ranked third in the one-minute pushups (47 repetitions), 10th in the modified agility T-test (6.57 seconds), 11th in the standing vertical jump (59.69 cm; 23.5 in), 15th in the vertical jump with approach (297 cm) and 17th in both standing broad jump (217 cm) and 60-meter shuttle run (15.26 seconds).
Such a promising show of versatility on both offense and defense is what Larroza will bank on come draft night for any team who’d eye her services.
Be it her usual role with the Lady Spikers as a scoring spark plug or an experimental floor general, expect Larroza to step up to the plate.
“Mao-offer ko sa magiging team ko na they can depend on me every time na ipapasok ako sa court and kaya kong mag-lead offensively man or defensively inside the court.
“Depende po sa team na makapick sa akin kung outside hitter or libero (‘yung lalaruin ko). Kahit anong role naman po ‘yung ibigay sa akin, i-eembrace ko naman po siya.”
RDJ’s four La Salle core values
After three seasons and a championship under the mentorship of veteran mentor Ramil de Jesus, it was a difficult farewell for Larroza to make — one she eventually did while wearing her graduation toga when she reached out in person to RDJ.
“Nagpakita ako sa kanya (Ramil de Jesus) tapos ‘yung approach niya pa sa akin: ‘Oh, saang team ka na?’
“Sabi ko: ‘Coach, magpapa-draft na po ako.’ Naka-toga pa ako nu’n. Um-attend po kami sa thanksgiving at du’n na po nagpaalam nang maayos and nag-part ways naman po kami in good terms.”
More than anything she’ll ever take away from her time in Taft, RDJ’s four core values will long be ingrained in the player and person Larroza grew to become after finishing her story in the UAAP and starting a new one, possibly soon, in the PVL.
“’Yung laging tinuturo ni Coach Ramil (de Jesus), (apat) ‘yun eh: discipline, determination, hardwork and perseverance. Laging mag-explore and don’t forget to enjoy the things that you love.”
Larroza and the league’s 47 aspirants, including fellow La Salle aspirants from both Taft and Dasmariñas in Gagate, Cruz, Coronel, Jenya Torres, Shar Ancheta, Ysa Bakabak, Lian Macasiray, Caroline Santos and Lovely Zapf will hope to hear their names called come July 8 in the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft.
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