FOUR NCAA standouts made the cut in the first-ever Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Rookie Draft among 23 players chosen, but only one emerged as a first-rounder.
And it was Arellano middle blocker Lorraine Pecaña who found her way to a spot in the top 12 of selections, with no less than back-to-back runners-up Choco Mucho Flying Titans securing her services.
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At 5-foot-11, Pecaña was the fourth-tallest draftee in the 47-player pool - making her an enticing prospect for PVL sides falling short in size.
Such a void was clear in the mind of Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin weeks before draft night with the expected absences of its veteran defender and Alas Pilipinas-bound Cherry Nunag and on-the-mend Aduke Ogunsanya from an ACL tear.
“Siguradong makakatulong sa’min sa sitwasyon namin ngayon na kulang na kulang kami sa player. Umaasa na lang kami sa drafting na mangyayari, kung sino man ‘yung available na pwedeng makuha,” Alinsunurin said.
“Talagang gusto naming makuha is ‘yung middle.”
Wish granted.
Choco Mucho pulls off draft surprise
From her visible shock to eventual speechlessness, it was clear that Pecaña was pleased, yet taken aback by the distinction of being a first-rounder - who also just happened to be the Flying Titans’ one and only draft pick of the night.
After leading the Lady Chiefs to the Final Four in what would be her last NCAA campaign, she now sets foot in the pros, with mission of making the most of the trust given to her by a star-studded title-contending side like Choco Mucho.
“Hinding-hindi ko po ine-expect yung first round na ako yung nasa first choice nila,” a surprised Pecaña said.
“Sobrang kinakabahan ako tapos sobrang happy ko rin po sa tiwalang binigay sa akin ng Choco Mucho. Pinapangako ko sa kanila na hindi ko po ‘yun sasayangin.”
Entering Choco Mucho paves the way for the ex-Arellano ace to team up with one of her volleyball idols in two-time PVL best middle blocker Maddie Madayag and a champion mentor in Alinsunurin.
And she couldn’t be more thrilled to take flight with the Flying Titans in a chance of a lifetime.
“Sila po yung mga tinitingala ko na middle, sila yung iniidolo ko since nung nag-start ako ng volleyball. Sila na po yung pinapangarap ko na maka-team o makalaban.
“Gusto ko po matutunan kay coach Dante kung paano niya po binibigyan ng chance yung mga players niya and kung paano po siya magtiwala sa mga players.”
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