PVL: Almonte leads all seven Adamson players taken in draft

Nxled’s fifth overall pick Lucille Almonte led seven former Adamson Lady Falcons who were selected in the PVL Rookie Draft.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — All seven Adamson Lady Falcons were selected in the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft as their school emerged as one of the biggest winners during Monday’s proceedings at Novotel in Quezon City.

The Lady Falcons may have missed the Final Four in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament but their core players thrived in the first-ever draft with five being selected in the first round.

Although the first four picks were from La Salle led by ZUS Coffee’s first overall selection Thea Gagate, Lucille Almonte was the top prospect from Adamson with Nxled selecting her at No. 5. Four of her teammates followed from the seventh to 10th picks with Ishie Lalongisip heading to Cignal, setter Angge Alcantara being drafted by PLDT, Karen Verdeflor emerging as Chery Tiggo’s newest libero, and AA Adolfo joining defending Reinforced Conference champion Petro Gazz.

ZUS Coffee, handled by former Adamson coach Jerry Yee, drafted his former players middle blocker Sharya Ancheta and setter Nikka Yandoc in the second and third rounds, respectively.

Despite not getting the ending they wanted in the UAAP, the Lady Falcons are proud of each other as they start the new chapter of their careers with different pro teams.

READ: PVL: Almonte aims to redeem self after down final year with Adamson

Lucille Almonte on joining the revamped Nxled. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/WHZY2LmQvZ

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024

“Sobrang happy ako sa kanilakasi sabay sabay kami umaangat sa pro, sabay sabay din kami nag-grow,” said Verdeflor, who was selected by Chery Tiggo at No. 9.

The Adamson libero is likely to get her break with the Crossovers since Jennifer Nierva is currently with Alas Pilipinas although the team is yet to release the latter along with Eya Laure, whose national team status are still under negotiation with the PVL and Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF).

“Sobrang happy po ako and sobrang laking opportunity sa akin. Siyempre po yung Chery Tiggo maraming ates doon na mas may experience sa akin so parang looking forward din ako sa team nila since super experienced ng team nila,” said Verdeflor, who is excited to team up with former Adamson stalwart Mylene Paat.

“Super happy kasi since si Ate Mylene Paat na yan so malaking opportunity and privelege. And honored ako na ako yung na-pick nila.”

Alcantara, who was drafted by PLDT at No. 8, is thrilled to see the Adamson Lady Falcons succeed in the draft, is looking forward to learning from veteran setters Kim Fajardo and Rhea Dimaculangan.

READ: Lucille Almonte takes young, rebuilding Adamson under her wings

Chery Tiggo’s ninth overall pick Karen Verdeflor during the PVL Rookie Draft.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“Sobrang excited po ako and proud po ako sa mga teammates ko po dati kasi pangarap po namin ‘to. Gustong-gusto po talaga namin na ma-draft and mapunta po sa mga teams sa PVL,” Alcantara said.

“As a setter po, sobrang excited po ako kasi knowing na veterans po sila, alam kong marami po akong matututunan sa kanila. Willing naman po ako to learn and to be better as a setter,” she added.

Adolfo was honored to get selected by the “three-peat”-seeking Petro Gazz, led by All-Filipino MVP Brooke Van Sickle,  hoping to contribute to the Angels’ bid to stay on top of the important-laden tournament.

“Nakakamotivate po siya kasi since sa college days ko hindi pa po ako nakakafeel ng championship so baka in this field na po doon ko na po maexperience yung championship,” said the young wing spiker.

Lalongisip offers her positive attitude to Cignal, which selected her at No.7, vowing to step up in Alas player Vanie Gandler’s absence to help Ces Molina, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Gel Cayuna, Ria Meneses, and Rose Doria.

“Yung maturity sa pagiging isa sa leaders sa Adamson. Feel ko yun talaga yung mabi-bring ko sa HD Spikers na hindi lang ako isang rookie ngayong PVL kasi it’s a pro league na which is dapat lahat kaya nang magcontribute sa team,” Lalongisip said. “I am a risk-taker and I love taking challenges, lalo na yung mga big challenges. I will take it as a positive one because it will help me as a person to improve and mas maging matured pa, hindi lang inside the court kundi outside the court.”

Adamson’s program has been a big boost to the program as several Lady Falcons jumped to the pros last year to form Farm Fresh, which recruited Trisha Tubu, Kate Santiago, Louie Romero, Rizza Cruz, Aprylle Tagsip, Cae Lazo, and its latest recruit early this year Lorene Toring.

The Lady Falcons have been thriving in the PVL with Jema Galanza emerging as their biggest star, leading Creamline to multiple titles.

Choco Mucho’s Thang Ponce became the league’s back-to-back Best Libero.

Other notable Adamson products are Nxled’s Bang Pineda, Chiara Permentilla, Trisha Genesis, and Krich Macaslang, Fhen Emnas of Galeries Tower, Petro Gazz’s Joy Dacoron Jellie Tempiatura, Pau Soriano of Creamline, and May Macatuno of Capital1.