Creamline Cool Smashers’ captain Alyssa Valdez shares a message of hope for the undrafted players in the inaugural 2024 PVL Rookie Draft Night.
The first-ever 2024 PVL Rookie Draft Night officially happened last night.
While it can be a moment of joy for the aspiring volleybelles who were drafted by the 12 competitive teams in the country’s volleyball league, the undrafted players face uncertainty in their journey, questioning their worth and feeling the sting of disappointment.
But Alyssa Valdez, the captain of the eight-time PVL champion Creamline Cool Smashers, gave some uplifting words for undrafted players.
“Syempre alam mo ‘yon, we all want them to be part of the community. They’re still part of the community. Free agent sila ngayon, so I told them this is just the stepping stone for them na para abutin ‘yong mga dreams nila to be part of any teams here in the PVL,” said Valdez with One Sports.
“It’s just the beginning. This is the first draft so marami pa silang mga opportunities na mapupuntahan and mag-oopen sa kanila, so kapit lang, tiyaga lang, and work harder and work smarter,” added Alyssa.
In a Facebook post by veteran sports broadcaster Noel Zarate, he shared a genuine moment between the decorated spiker and the undrafted players, as the Phenom herself immediately went to the side of those who were not selected to assure them that their PVL dreams were not yet over.
“This, for me, was one of the highlights of the Premier Volleyball League #PVLDraft2024.
When the drafting ended, Alyssa Valdez looked to the back of the room, where all those who were not selected were seated, and went straight to them to assure them that their PVL dreams weren't over just because they didn't get picked.
No one told her to do this. She just stood up and went straight to them. #Respect,” Zarate posted.
The inaugural 2024 PVL Rookie Draft Night officially ends in Round 4. Twenty-three out of 47 aspirants will now transition to free agency.
Watch the full interview here: