Coming from an injury and all, Leila Cruz was still selected with the second pick in the PVL Rookie Draft by the Capital1 Solar Spikers.
Despite not playing UAAP Season 86 due to her ACL injury, Leila Cruz was still selected second overall by the Capital1 Solar Spikers in the 2024 PVL Rookie Draft.
After hearing her name called by the Solar Spikers, the former De La Salle University star still couldn’t believe that she was picked already.
“I’m super grateful and kinda shocked, actually, but thank you so much for Capital1 kasi tinrust nila ako,” Cruz told reporters.
Being the second overall pick, a lot of expectations will be set on the 6-foot-1 opposite hitter, and she hopes to repay the trust from Capital1.
“I’ll try my best talaga to bring justice dun sa Top 2 pick na binigay nila, and I will do everything na makakaya ko para mabigyan ng better finish ‘yung team,” said Cruz.
Having grown under Ramil de Jesus in La Salle, Cruz will now be coached by another legendary tactician, Roger Gorayeb, who is no stranger to the Philippine volleyball world.
With this in mind, Cruz is more than excited to learn more under the Capital1 tactician.
“Super nakakatuwa na ma-handle nilang dalawa kasi we all know naman na parehas silang veteran sa larangan ng volleyball,” said Cruz.
[ALSO READ: 'Fully recovered' Leila Cruz bares reason for leaving La Salle to join inaugural PVL Draft]
Cruz will look to help the Solar Spikers improve their 11th-place finish in the last conference as they prepare for the highly anticipated Reinforced Conference.