No. 23 pick Danivah Aying looks to make the most out of the opportunity given to her by the Galeries Tower Highrisers after being picked in the PVL Rookie Draft.
23 draft aspirants were selected during the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft, which was held last July 8 at Novotel Manila Araneta City in Cubao.
Out of everyone taken, arguably none was quite bigger and more emotional than the last pick of the draft, Danivah Aying, who was selected by the Galeries Tower Highrisers.
When all hope seemed lost with 25 aspirants still in the running, Aying couldn’t contain her emotions as PVL Commissioner Sherwin Malonzo called her name in the fourth round.
“Super overwhelming po siya para sa akin kasi nga, zero expectations po talaga ako. Di ko inexpect na mada-draft talaga ako. Parang sabi ko na lang, sana lang mabigyan ako ng opportunity,” an emotional Aying told reportes after being drafted.
“Wala, wala po talaga akong hinahangad na makamit dito. Pero thank you po sa Galeries na binigyan ako ng chance at opportunity,” she added.
Aying, from the University of San Jose Recoletos in Cebu, was the only draft pick not from a UAAP or NCAA school.
She made it clear that her motivation to apply for the draft was not only to fulfill her dream of playing in the PVL, but also to prove that being a member of a UAAP or NCAA school is not a requirement.
“Parang naging push ko na rin yung mga down comments ng mga ibang tao na 'Ay from Cebu lang ‘yan.' Parang naging stepping stone siya para sakin. Di naman ibig sabihin na porket ‘di ako from UAAP o NCAA, ‘di na pwedeng mag-apply sa draft,” said Aying.
“Wala namang requirement na kailangan ka from NCAA o UAAP.”
As the PVL announced its inaugural Rookie Draft, Aying immediately flew to Manila to pursue her dream. She even rented a place by herself in Mandaluyong to ensure that she would be able to participate in the draft activities.
“Tinulungan lang din ako ng parents ko kasi sinuportahan ako sa pangarap ko. Ngayon, nagse-stay lang ako sa isang bedspace diyan sa Mandaluyong,” said Aying. “Ako lang po mag-isa.”
All the sacrifices and hard work have paid off for the Cebu-based spiker as she now joins a rebuilding Highrisers squad that also selected Julia Coronel (no. 3), Jewel Encarnacion (no. 15), and Dodee Batindaan (no. 21).
“Promise ko lang sa team ay mabibigay ko lang talaga lahat ng makakaya ko. Alam ko naman na medyo behind ako sa mga skills, siyempre galing akong local, meaning po may mai-a-add pa po ‘yung coaches para sakin at mas mai-improve ko pa yung sarili ko,” said Aying.
“Alam ng mga coaches na as long as may mai-improve sila sa akin, na may mai-a-add na skills at talents sa akin, makakatulong talaga ako sa team,” she added.
As she begins her PVL journey, Aying hopes to be an inspiration for many PVL aspirants to simply never give up on chasing the dream.
“Kung pangarap mo, mag-try ka lang talaga, kasi wala namang mawawala kung mag-try ka. As long as andiyan yung perseverance mo, andiyan ‘yung fire sa loob mo na gusto mo talagang makamit yung pangarap mo, go lang. Wala namang limitations diyan eh,” said Aying.