Lucille Almonte, center, during the PVL Rookie Draft combine.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Lucille Almonte is raring to redeem herself after a subpar final year with Adamson in the UAAP as she hopes to prove her worth in PVL.
Almonte, who had a reduced playing time when Adamson missed the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball Final Four, may not have the best exit in her collegiate career but she’s hoping to move forward and regain her lethal offensive form in the pros.
“My mindset is to work harder because the games here in the pros have a different intensity. So I have to continue striving and making sacrifices,” Almonte, who is among the 46 aspirants in the upcoming PVL Rookie Draft on July 8 at Novotel, told the reporters in Filipino after the first day of the combine at GameVille Ball Park in Mandaluyong City.
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Adamson spiker Lucille Almonte on joining the #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/IwfRf4wqpz
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) June 25, 2024
The former Adamson captain said her coaches, led by JP Yude, encouraged her to turn pro for a chance to take her game to the next level.
“My coaches told me that I have to turn pro. So I can spread my wings in the PVL. And I also need to come out of my comfort zone,” said Almonte, who played three seasons in the UAAP.
Her batchmates Louie Romero, Rizza Cruz, and Kate Santiago as well as one-and-done star Trisha Tubu are already in the pros after they left Adamson last year following a bronze medal finish in the UAAP Season 85.
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Almonte chose to stay with her teammates and showed her loyalty to the school. But now, she’s moving on to the next chapter of her career with her fellow Lady Falcons AA Adolfo, Ishie Lalongisip, Nikka Yandoc, Angge Alcantara, Karen Verdeflor, and Sharya Ancheta.
After a tiring first day at the combine, the reality of being a pro player has sunk into Almonte’s mind and she’s up for the challenge of competing with her fellow aspirants for a PVL roster spot.
“This draft combine may be tiring but this is the reality of being a pro player. This will boost our confidence since this is the biggest volleyball league in the country,” Almonte said. “I hope everyone gets a chance and opportunity to play for the PVL teams.”