Coaches and front office representatives praised the Premier Volleyball League Draft Combine, which allowed them to meticulously evaluate 47 rookie hopefuls and other free agents who attended the two-day event.
On Day 2, draft aspirants and free agents merged for scrimmages at Gameville Ball Park, the official outfitter of the combine.
Kiara Cruz, Strong Group’s head of volleyball operations, shared that this showcase would assist their ZUS Coffee team in thoroughly selecting the players they need.
The Thunderbelles currently have only six players, including College of Saint Benilde products Cloanne Mondoñedo, Gayle Pascual, Michelle Gamit, and Jade Gentapa, along with Dolly Verzosa and Mary Joy Onofre, who were holdovers from the Strong Group squad last conference.
“It’s definitely a big event sa amin to be here kasi kailangan pa namin punan yung slots for ZUS,” said Cruz on Wednesday.
“We see great potential from these players even aside the likes of Thea Gagate ganyan, Leila Cruz, meron ding NCAA players and players from other places as well na they’re something to look out for. Very promising itong Draft Combine for us,” continued the former Ateneo student-athlete.
Head coaches Dante Alinsunurin of Choco Mucho and Sherwin Meneses of Creamline praised the event as they prepare to pick 11th and 12th during Draft Day on July 8 at Novotel, the official venue partner of the country’s only professional volleyball league.
They also highlighted how unheralded athletes from across the Philippines will have a chance during the combine.
“Malaking bagay yung Draft Combine kasi lahat may chance magpakita ng skills kahit na yung iba kahit hindi masyadong kilala may chances sila,” said Meneses, who are looking for best available talent once all the teams got their first round selection.
“For the coaches talaga malaking tulong ito para sa amin, nakita namin kung paano maglaro mas maganda talaga yung personal. Sobrang ganda ito para sa amin,” said Alinsunurin, who previously said that they would rely heavily on the draft as well as the free agency.
Following ZUS Coffee, Capital1 will select second, with Galeries Tower and Farm Fresh picking third and fourth, respectively.
Nxled, Akari, Cignal, PLDT, Chery Tiggo, and Petro Gazz will follow in that order before the finalists of the 2024 All-Filipino Conference.
