PVL chief says Rookie Draft first step toward leveling competition

The 2024 PVL Rookie Draft picks during the inaugural ceremony on Monday.

The PVL is looking at the inaugural Rookie Draft as a start toward parity in the league that has so far been dominated by teams owning the biggest collection of talent in the country.

“Looking at it long term, we expect [the Draft] to help level the playing field so that all teams will have a competitive edge,” league commissioner Sherwin Malonzo said.

That goal began on Monday night as the teams began making their pick of the 47 participants that threw their names in the draft pool.

“[We have a] diverse talent pool but I think everybody’s testing the waters but I think it’s good that the teams have a lot to choose from the 47 applicants,” Malonzo told the Inquirer in Filipino on the eve of the PVL Draft night.

“There are a lot of talented players who applied [from former] UAAP and NCAA players and even some players that I actually don’t know. There are two players from abroad and some from the provinces,” he added.

Thea Gagate was largely expected to be the pro league’s first No. 1 overall draft pick with ZUS Coffee, formerly Strong Group Athletics, vocal about its desire to select the lanky 6-foot-1 middle blocker out of powerhouse collegiate program La Salle.

READ: Thea Gagate, Leila Cruz go 1-2 in PVL Rookie Draft

Other UAAP draftees include former La Salle standouts Leila Cruz, Maicah Larroza and Julia Coronel, who are some of the top prospective picks of their batch.

Adamson products Antonette Adolfo, Angelica Alcantara, Lucille Almonte, Rochelle Lalongisip, Karen Verdeflor and Nikka Yandoc also signed up for the proceedings.

Steph Bustrillo, Jewel Encarnacion and Abi Goc from University of the Philippines will also look to break through the pro leagues while lone Ateneo standout Roma Mae Doromal hopes to make her mark.

Teams had a first-hand look at the prospects, and at free agents, during a two-day combine that measured the participants’ skills and also put them through scrimmages.

While none of the players are expected to drastically alter a franchise’s fortunes, their participation in the draft will pave the way for the end to the former practice of direct recruitment, which favors the big teams of the PVL.

Of the 12 teams currently in the league roster, only three clubs have won championships thus far, with Creamline accounting for eight of those titles. Petro Gazz has two titles while Chery Tiggo has a crown to show.