For the first time in PVL’s history, the league will hold a rookie draft on July 8 at Novotel in Cubao, Quezon City, where fans will see some of the biggest and brightest stars in collegiate volleyball make their way to the pros.
Among those is De La Salle University and Alas Pilipinas middle blocker Thea Gagate, who is expected to be selected first overall by the rebranded ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles.
After Gagate, there will still be a wide array of talent that teams will be eager to select.
Now that the draft order is set, who should your team take? One Sports take a crack at it in this first-ever PVL mock draft.
1. ZUS Coffe Thunderbelles
Thea Gagate | Middle Blocker | De La Salle University
Again, this is the easiest selection anyone will have to make in the Draft. Standing at 6-foot-2, Thea Gagate is expected to reinvigorate ZUS Coffee, formerly known as Strong Group Athletics, in the upcoming Reinforced Conference.
[ALSO READ: Consensus no. 1 pick Thea Gagate ready to propel ZUS Coffee in PVL rankings]
2. Capital1 Solar Spikers
Leila Cruz | Opposite Hitter | De La Salle University
The Solar Spikers can go many ways with the second overall pick, but picking Leila Cruz may just be the right choice for Capital1.
According to coach Roger Gorayeb, the Solar Spikers need a spiker. Cruz could fit the bill and give them a better chance at moving up in the standings.
[ALSO READ: ‘Fully recovered’ Leila Cruz bares reason for leaving La Salle to join inaugural PVL Draft]
3. Galeries Tower Highrisers
Pierre Abellana | Outside Hitter | University of Santo Tomas
The Highrisers will be looking at filling up several positions come draft night. But according to assistant coach Godfrey Okumu, selecting an outside hitter will be Galeries’ top priority.
With that in mind, it only seems fitting that the Lerma Giron-led squad will select a player that she is familiar with in Pierre Abellana, who she coached in UST.
[ALSO READ: Pierre Abellana eager to prove her worth as she vies for the inaugural PVL Draft]
4. Farm Fresh Foxies
Lucille Almonte | Outside Hitter | Adamson University
Farm Fresh is put in a rather tight spot at fourth in the draft, but familiarity might play a big role in the team’s decision as Lucille Almonte will be reunited with her Adamson teammates.
With Jolina Dela Cruz still sidelined for the Foxies, Almonte could provide her steady offense and defense inside the court to help push Farm Fresh through.
[ALSO READ: Lucille Almonte ready to 'spread wings' as new chapter begins with 2024 PVL Draft]
5. Nxled Chameleons
Julia Coronel | Setter | De La Salle University
After losing some key players in the offseason, the Chameleons will look to start fresh, and who better to get than Julia Coronel?
Coronel can provide her versatility as a setter and opposite hitter for Nxled, who have shown their grit over the past conferences despite being a relatively young franchise.
6. Akari Chargers
Aleiah Torres | Libero | Brock University
With a recharged lineup heading into the Reinforced Conference, Akari will look to bolster its lineup even further with the addition of Fil-Canadian libero Aleiah Torres.
Having a good number of spikers, middle blockers, and setters, the Chargers could be looking at selecting a libero in the draft in order to fortify their backline help.
[ALSO READ: Fil-Canadian libero Aleiah Torres offers ‘high IQ’ to whichever team selects her in inaugural PVL Draft]
7. Cignal HD Spikers
Steph Bustrillo | Opposite Hitter | University of the Philippines
Coach Shaq Delos Santos has a knack for developing a player’s true potential—and that could be a possibility with Steph Bustrillo, who showed out for the Fighting Maroons in Season 86. A true sleeper pick, if you will.
8. PLDT High Speed Hitters
Maicah Larroza | Libero | De La Salle University
Having a stacked starting six, PLDT will be looking at several options to help further boost its bench. Maicah Larroza could easily fill that role should she be placed as a libero or outside hitter for the team.
9. Chery Tiggo Crossovers
Razel Aldea | Middle Blocker | University of Perpetual Help System Dalta
Like the other squads above them, Chery Tiggo already has its first six set. This means they can choose the best available talent in the draft, which could be Perpetual’s Razel Aldea to add to the Crossovers' frontline depth.
10. Petro Gazz Angels
Karen Verdeflor | Libero | Adamson University
On paper, Petro Gazz has one of the strongest lineups in the PVL, with MVP Brooke Van Sickle leading the way.
Already with a strong unit of attackers, the Angels could decide to choose a libero for the 10th pick. While they have several options with the selection, Karen Verdeflor seems like the best choice for the libero spot this late in the first round.
11. Choco Mucho Flying Titans
Shar Ancheta | Middle Blocker | Adamson University
With Sisi Rondina and Cherry Nunag possibly out for Choco Mucho in the upcoming conference, coach Dante Alinsunurin will be looking to add the best available talent in the draft.
Having already signed Dindin Santiago-Manabat, the Flying Titans could be considering selecting Shar Ancheta as an additional middle blocker to help offset the absence of their national team standouts.
12. Creamline Cool Smashers
Roma Mae Doromal | Libero | Ateneo de Manila University
It’s unlikely to see Roma Mae Doromal slide down the draft, but should this happen then it would be the perfect draft pick for Creamline.
Doromal should be a big boost in the Cool Smashers' title hopes in the Reinforced Conference, adding defensive help to a stacked roster. She will also be teammates with several Ateneans in the squad, enforcing familiarity and well... good vibes.
[ALSO READ: Roma Mae Doromal raring to provide leadership to team that selects her in 2024 PVL Draft]