LA SALLE star Thea Gagate and setter Julia Coronel lead the first-ever batch of aspirants in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) rookie draft that will take place on July 8.
Four Lady Spikers in middle blocker Gagate, outside hitter Maicah Larroza, middle blocker Leila Cruz and Coronel headline the class that was trimmed to 47 from the original 50 after careful deliberation and screening.
This historic event marks a significant milestone for the PVL, showcasing a diverse and talented pool of athletes ready to make their mark on the professional stage while guaranteeing a fair spread of top prospects in the future.
READ All you need to know about the inaugural PVL draft
UST opposite spiker Pierre Abellana also threw her name in along with seven Adamson players in outside hitters Lucille Almonte and Ishie Lalongisip; opposite spiker AA Adolfo; setters Nikka Yandoc and Angge Alcantara; libero Karen Verdeflor; and middle blocker Sharya Ancheta.
University of the Philippines (UP) will see graduating seniors Abi Goc (outside hitter), Jewel Encarnacion (outside hitter), and Stephanie Bustrillo (opposite spiker) vying for spots, alongside University of the East’s (UE) Dara Nieva (opposite spiker) and liberos Jenina Zeta and Dea Villamor and Ateneo libero Roma Mae Doromal.
READ Who should be No. 1 pick in PVL draft?
The draft will also feature overseas-based Filipinos with Aleiah Torres of Brock University and Nathalie Ramacula of Red River College Polytechnic throwing their hats in the ring.
The highly anticipated two-day Draft Combine is set for June 25-26 at Gameville Ballpark in Sheridan, Mandaluyong while the live draft lottery determining the order of the first four picks will be held on the June 24 episode of The Starting Lineup, which airs on RPTV and Pilipinas Live!
Players from all over the country also entered their names in the draft.
Letran’s Daisy Melendres and Bay Anne de Leon; Arellano’s Dodee Batindaan, Robbie Mae Matawaran, Lorraine Pecana, Donnalyn Paralejas, and Charmina Dino; EAC’s Cathrine Almanzan; Lyceum’s Camille Belaro; San Beda’s Maxinne Tayag and Lalaine Arizapa; San Sebastian’s Jewelle Bermillo; and Perpetual Help’s Razel Aldea and Sandra Dayao compose the NCAA alumna.
Additionally, the draft includes Lovely Zapf and Lian Macasiray from DLSU-Dasmarinas, Andre Jardio of Lyceum-Alabang, Jamie Solina from Marinduque State, Danya Casino of Trinity, and Danivah Aying from USJ-R.
Completing the list of hopefuls are La Salle training pool players Caroline Santos, Ysabela Bakabak, and Giliana Torres, former UST Tigress Mary Grace Vernaiz, former NU Lady Bulldog CJ Evangelista, and former UE Lady Warrior Remcel Santos.
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