She's Korea-bound after all.
Back in April, Iris Tolenada of the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers was one of six PVL stalwarts invited to apply for the 2023 Korean Volleyball Federation (KOVO) Asian Quota Draft of the Korean V-League.
The others were Tolenada’s F2 Logistics teammate Majoy Baron, Jia De Guzman of the Creamline Cool Smashers, Dindin Santiago-Manabat of the Akari Chargers, Mylene Paat of the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, and MJ Phillips of the Petro Gazz Angels.
Only Phillips got her named called on draft day, getting picked by the Gwangju AI Peppers as the fifth overall selection. She has since left for South Korea—but not after posting a hilarious “last day at work video” featuring her Angels teammates and Petro Gazz coach Oliver Almadro.
It turns out, Tolenada will be joining Phillips at the Korean V-League after all by way of the GS Caltex Seoul, which announced on Friday the signing of the talented 5-foot-9 setter. The development was first reported by the PVL website on Friday afternoon.
The former V-League Best Setter will be replacing Thai setter Soraya Phomla as GS Caltex’s Asian import and will be the second Filipino to make it to the V-League for next season. The Korean team, curiously, originally selected Indonesian outside hitter Medi Yoku before opting for Phomla. Ultimately, the Seoul chose Tolenada instead.
Tolenada, according to the same PVL report, is scheduled to depart for South Korea in August.