According to a source, Alyssa Solomon will no longer take part in the 2025 KOVO Asian Quota Draft due to a long-standing UAAP rule. It could affect her status with the NU Lady Bulldogs and their title campaign in Season 87.
National University Lady Bulldogs standout Alyssa Solomon has withdrawn from the 2025 Korean Volleyball Federation (KOVO) Asian Quota Draft after being informed of the UAAP’s rules regarding amateur status and eligibility, a source told One Sports.
Solomon’s decision came after she learned about the long-standing UAAP regulation that prohibits student-athletes from maintaining amateur status if they join a professional draft pool, according to a source with firsthand knowledge of the matter but is not authorized to speak on the issue.
The rule, which has been in place for a decade, states that an athlete loses amateur status if they use their athletic skill in a competition for financial remuneration, enter the draft pool of any professional league, or are officially included in the lineup of a professional or commercial league team.
The list for the 2025 KOVO Draft Pool was released on March 6, which included Solomon as among the applicants.
Joining her are Choco Mucho Flying Titans setter Mars Alba and PLDT High Speed Hitters middle blocker Majoy Baron from the PVL, as well as Kurobe AquaFairies MB Maddie Madayang from the Japan SV.League.
Marck Espejo, who was the first male Filipino athlete to be drafted in KOVO by the Incheon Korean Air Jumbos in the 2023-24 season, also put his name back in the list.
All of them are already in the pros.
[ALSO READ: Alyssa Solomon, Mars Alba, Maddie Madayag, Majoy Baron join 2025 KOVO Asian Quota Draft]
After the news broke out, Solomon spoke to UAAP reporters three days later, sharing that while she has professional plans beyond South Korea, her priority remains with the Lady Bulldogs’ ongoing season.
"Actually, biglaan lang siya since focused ako sa UAAP that time and biglang may nag-approach sa’kin na agent and sinabi kung gusto ko raw po ba mag-tryout sa KOVO," said Solomon last Sunday.
"Sinabi ko po kung online lang ba or kailangan ko po ba pumunta du’n (sa Korea). Sabi naman online lang so wala akong magiging problema du’n basta mag-submit lang daw ako ng files na kailangan po," she added.
[ALSO READ: Alyssa Solomon admits KOVO Asian Quota Draft application was made on a whim — ‘Biglaan lang siya’]
A few days later, reports surfaced about a Filipina applicant having to back out from the KOVO Draft—which later turned out to be the NU superstar.
Prior to their game against the Adamson Lady Falcons on Wednesday, March 12, Solomon was seen speaking with NU officials.
The reigning UAAP Finals MVP went to play the match where she finished with 22 points in commanding sweep of the Lady Falcons 25-21, 25-23, 25-18.
But given the collegiate league's regulations, Solomon opted to withdraw from the KOVO Draft and remain focused on helping the Lady Bulldogs defend their UAAP title in Season 87.
KOVO allows withdrawals until April 10, or a day before the non-face-to-face-draft on April 11. This means Solomon will not face any sanction from the Korean league.
Her decision will not affect NU's games, as she will not be included in the final list of draft participants.
A UAAP player is considered a professional when they make it to the final list of a draft. This was rescinded for a year when the UAAP men's basketball tournament coincided with deadlines for the PBA draft, according to One Sports reporter Luisa Morales.
One Sports has reached out to coach Sherwin Meneses and the UAAP but has yet to receive a response.
With her withdrawal, only three Filipinas will enter the KOVO women’s draft, namely Maddie Madayag, Mars Alba, and Majoy Baron.
Those that have made it to the Korean V-League include Espejo, MJ Phillips, who was selected fifth overall in the 2023 KOVO Asian Quota Draft, and Iris Tolenada, who signed with GS Caltex Seoul as latest Asian quota import in 2023.
Previous Filipino applicants--such as Creamline Cool Smashers' Tots Carlos and Chery Tiggo Crossovers' Mylene Paat--along with Spikers' Turf athletes Jau Umandal, JP Bugaoan, and Manuel Sumanguid III have long competed as professionals.
Meanwhile, Solomon will look to remain focused as the Lady Bulldogs face the UST Golden Tigresses in a finals rematch on Sunday, March 16 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
(With reports from Luisa Morales, One Sports Digital)