Teams begin plotting PVL Draft strategies

It’s been hailed as a landmark moment in the Premier Volleyball League, one that could improve the league’s balance in the long run.

But after two days of the Draft Combine, it’s time for teams to make serious decisions.

“I think there’s a lot of talent. As I’ve said before I came to the Philippines, there’s a lot of talent in Philippine volleyball,” Godfrey Okumu, an assistant coach for Galeries Tower, said on Wednesday.

That rich mix of talent will need sorting out for the PVL’s first Rookie Draft in league history, with only ZUS Coffee declaring outright that it is selecting Thea Gagate with the No. 1 overall pick. Capital1, which has the second overall pick, has been mum on its choice. “I’m just looking at the height and if the player will fit our system,” said Capital1 coach Roger Gorayeb. “Players grew up in different systems so it would be great to find someone who can adjust easily [to our system].”

“We have a target that we’re discussing and we’re studying if we will benefit [in selecting] her,” added the veteran coach, who refused to name the player or her position.

Scrimmage

Galeries, picking third, is also playing its cards close to its chest, although the team has made its priorities clear.

“In our team, we hope that the person we will get will come in settled and get to know the team better,” Okumu said. “That’s the most important thing, building the team together. With the people who are in and the people coming in.”

A total of 47 rookie hopefuls participated in the Combine.

Day 2 saw the participants scrimmage with free agents at Gameville Ball Park, giving teams one last opportunity to gauge the skills of the players and their potential fit with the squads.

“[The combine was] definitely a big event for us … because we need to fill a lot of slots at ZUS,” said Kiara Cruz, Strong Group’s head of volleyball operations on Wednesday. “We see great potential from these players even aside from the likes of Thea Gagate ganyan, Leila Cruz. There are NCAA players and players from other places as well and they’re something to look out for.”ZUS has only six players under contract: St. Benilde products Cloanne Mondoñedo, Gayle Pascual, Michelle Gamit and Jade Gentapa, along with Dolly Verzosa and Mary Joy Onofre.

The Combine was valuable even for those picking late in the rounds.

“We get to see the capabilities of those who are not really that well-known,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses, whose club will select last in the first round.

“For the coaches, it’s important we get to see players personally,” said Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin, whose Flying Titans will pick before the Cool Smashers at No. 11.

After ZUS Coffee, Capital1 and Galeries Tower, Farm Fresh will be on the block with the fourth pick. The first round will then go on with Nxled, Akari, Cignal, PLDT, Chery Tiggo and Petro Gazz making their selections before Choco Mucho and Creamline.