By NIKOLE JAVIER
La Salle standouts and now national team members Thea Gagate and Julia Coronel lead the inaugural Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Rookie Draft on July 6.
A total of 47 hopefuls have applied for the league’s first-ever draft in hopes of leveling the 12-team grid and neutralizing a one-team dominance.
Two-time Second Best Middle Blocker Gagate and Best Setter runner-up Coronel capped their UAAP career with a semifinal finish for the Lady Spikers before making successful national team debuts shortly after the season to help Alas Pilipinas capture its historic bronze medal in the AVC Challenge Cup last month.
Apart from Gagate and Coronel, Taft products Maicah Larroza and Leila Cruz also enlisted their names in the draft, with libero Roma Doromal becoming the lone participant from Ateneo.
Meanwhile, University of the Philippines super trio Steph Bustrillo, Jewel Encarnacion and Abi Goc have all left Katipunan to jump pro following another less than stellar final stint in the collegiate competition.
UAAP finalists Pierre Abellana Mary Grabe Vernaiz have both decided to pursue careers beyond the collegiate scene and hopefully find a place in the pro ranks.
Fourteen other players from Arellano, Letran, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Lyceum, San Beda, San Sebastian and Perpetual in the NCAA are also set to spice things up in the highly-anticipated draft.
Seven other non-UAAP and NCAA players completed the list as they are looking to surprise the highly-competitive PVL environment.
