Jewelle Bermillo hopes for fresh start in her PVL return bid

Libero Jewelle Bermillo is looking to return to the PVL. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Among the 47 rookie aspirants, libero Jewelle Bermillo was the lone player who experienced playing in the PVL when the league was still under semiprofessional status in 2019 with the defunct BaliPure Water Defenders.

Her last PVL action didn’t exactly play out the way she wanted as the former student-athlete from San Sebastian College went viral for the wrong reason when her import teammate Danijela Dzakovic hit her on the nape after a digging miscommunication.

That bizarre scene between teammates has marked Bermillo even until now as she expects to see it again on social media as it will mark its fifth anniversary on June 29.

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“The impact is really huge. It’s shocking what happened because it’s the first time it happened,” said Bermillo, who forgave the import right away after she apologized and hugged her after the incident.

“It always comes up. Every month, someone tags me. Especially on June 29 because that’s when it happened, so it’s coming up soon, and someone will tag me again even though it happened five years ago.”

Five years since the incident, Bermillo is hoping to start fresh as she enters the PVL draft and reintroduces herself through her skills and better game in the professional scene.

READ: Danijela Dzakovic gets reprimand from PVL after hitting teammate

“What I brought there is, of course, to be more aggressive, to be more aware of who I’m with inside the court, and the number one thing is communication. Because that’s really what was lost. We had a lack of communication, which is why it happened before,” said the libero.

Reigniting the passion

FILE–Jewelle Bermillo during her time with BaliPure in the PVL.

“I hope it doesn’t happen again. I’m really excited because this will be a big help to us, having this reinforcement so we can level up more or bring [the experience] to the national team, and improve our volleyball community even more.”

A lot has changed since Bermillo last played in the PVL. Her previous team is no longer part of the league while the league has grown into a 12-team field.

After playing for the Lady Stags and for Biñan in the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association, Bermillo believes joining the pros is still her calling.

“This is my calling.  I want to try to rediscover my passion from before. Maybe now is the time for me to play again.” said Bermillo. “Nowadays, everyone, even the rookies, are really skilled. I can’t say anything because even though they’re rookies, their skills are already at a professional level.”

Jewelle Bermillo, who went viral due to a bizarre scene with their import, hopes to be drafted by a PVL team, offering her floor defense and maturity this time. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/1S5CB617N3

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) June 26, 2024

“I want to enhance or develop my skills further so I can contribute more to the team, wherever I end up playing,” she added.

Seeking to return to the PVL as a pro this time, Bermillo brings her learnings from San Sebastian coach Roger Gorayeb, who also scouted players in the combine for Capital1. 

“Coach just told me to showcase the skills I’ve learned from him, and of course, whether I get picked or not, not to be ashamed. I should just show who I really am and the skills I have,” Bermillo said. “

“The experience I had with Coach Roger during college, I’ll bring everything I learned from him to the pros. I hope to improve on what I learned from him so I can contribute more to whichever team I join.”