The last three PVL MVPs, Brooke Van Sickle of Petro Gazz, Sisi Rondina of Choco Mucho, and Ces Molina of Cignal, will draw the draft pick order for ZUS Coffee, Capital1, Galeries Tower, and Farm Fresh.
MANILA, Philippines — The odds were in ZUS Coffee’s favor as it secured the first overall pick of the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft on July 8 at Novotel in Quezon City.
With a 40 percent chance of getting the top pick, the Thunderbelles, represented by Maria Luz Soriano, were drawn by reigning All-Filipino Conference MVP Brooke Van Sickle of Petro Gazz as the No.1 overall pick in the lottery on Monday evening at TV5 Media Center.
ZUS Coffee, formerly Strong Group Athletics, lost all its 11 games in its debut in the All-Filipino Conference.
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The league’s first-ever lottery, supervised by Commissioner Sherwin Malonzo and the Games and Amusement Board’s Eliza Roman.
ZUS Coffee coach Jerry Yee will have the luxury of selecting the top prospect of the 47 Rookie Aspirants to build on his roster bannered by NCAA ‘three-peat’ champion College of Saint Benilde players Cloanne Mondoñedo, Gayle Pascual, Jade Gentapa, and Michelle Gamit.
JUST IN: The first overall draft pick goes to ZUS Coffee. #PVLDraft2024 #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/EHpn5b2Rpr
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) June 24, 2024
“We’re very happy for ZUS Coffee because we were the first pick so we have a bigger chance or better chance kung sino yung pipiliin namin kasi since kami yung first, mas makakapili kami kung sino talaga yung best for the team,” said Farm Fresh assistant coach Justine Dorog, who spoke for sister team ZUS Coffee. “I hope na yung first pick namin, makatulong talaga siya sa team.”
Capital1, represented by team owner Mandy Romero, earned the second overall pick as drawn by Choco Mucho star Sisi Rondina after having a 30 percent chance in the lottery.
The Solar Spikers, under veteran coach Roger Gorayeb, finished with one win in their debut.
Drawn by reigning Invitational Conference MVP Ces Molina of Cignal, the Galeries Tower (20% chance) and Farm Fresh (10%), who both finished with identical 3-8 records in the All-Filipino, will pick third and fourth, respectively.
Dorog represented Farm Fresh, while Rontristan Notado graced the lottery for Galeries.
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Nxled holds the fifth pick, followed by Akari, Cignal, PLDT, Chery Tiggo, Petro Gazz, runner-up Choco Mucho, and All-Filipino Conference champion Creamline.
The 47 aspirants along with free agents will see action in a two-day combine on Tuesday and Wednesday at GameVille Ballpark in Sheridan, Mandaluyong.
Alas Pilipinas players Thea Gagate and Julia Coronel, fellow La Salle Lady Spikers Maicah Larroza and Leila Cruz applied for the draft, along with Adamson Lady Falcons AA Adolfo, Lucille Almonte, Nikka Yandoc, Angge Alcantara, Karen Verdeflor, and Sharya Ancheta.
“For ZUS since we have six players confirmed, we have a lot of needs. We’ll see in the draft combine who among the rookies and free agents will fit for ZUS,” said Dorog.
Capital1 gets the second overall pick as drawn by Sisi Rondina of Choco Mucho. #PVLDraft2024 #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/FFzjVua7Dy
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) June 24, 2024
Ateneo libero Roma Mae Doromal and Santo Tomas’ Pierre Abellana also threw their names in the pool with University of the Philippines’ Abi Goc, Jewel Encarnacion, and Stephanie Bustrillo. University of the East has three aspirants Dara Nieva (opposite spiker) and liberos Jenina Zeta and Dea Villamor.
NCAA players are also joining with Letran’s Daisy Melendres and Bay Anne de Leon; Arellano’s Dodee Batindaan, Robbie Mae Matawaran, Lorraine Pecana, Donnalyn Paralejas, and Charmina Dino; EAC’s Catherine Almanzan; Lyceum’s Camille Belaro; San Beda’s Maxinne Tayag and Lalaine Arizapa; San Sebastian’s Jewelle Bermillo; and Perpetual Help’s Razel Aldea and Sandra Dayao.
After getting the No.2 pick, Capital1 owner Mandy Romero announces that Marina Tushova of Russia will be their import for the Reinforced Conference. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/LeQq0OlXaR
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) June 24, 2024
The draft will also feature Filipinos born and/or raised abroad like Aleiah Torres of Brock University and Nathalie Ramacula of Red River College Polytechnic as well as other players nationwide, Lovely Zapf and Lian Macasiray from DLSU-Dasmarinas, Andrea Jardio of Lyceum-Alabang, Jamie Solina from Marinduque State, Danya Casino of Trinity, and Danivah Aying from USJ-R.
Training pool players from NU, CJ Evangelista, La Salle’s Caroline Santos, Ysabela Bakabak, and Giliana Torres, former UST Tigress Mary Grace Vernaiz, and former UE Lady Warrior Remcel Santos also entered the draft.
The second round will be based on their All-Filipino records having the same order as the first round since lottery teams landed on their respective spots.