As her name was finally called in the second round of the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Draft, Ann Monares took a deep breath — part relief, part realization.
From Far Eastern University’s tenacious libero to Farm Fresh’s newest defensive anchor, Monares was selected 16th overall — the first libero taken in this year’s class — officially marking her leap into the professional stage.
But behind the scenes of her long-awaited PVL debut, it wasn’t just hours of training and years of collegiate grind that brought her to this moment. It was also the quiet, unwavering presence of an older sister — a teammate in life more than in the court — that helped keep her grounded when the pressure mounted.
“Sinabi ko naman po sa kanya a few days ago na sobrang nakakakaba kasi siyempre, new chapter siya,” Ann admitted.
“Pero support naman siya sa’kin all the way, kaya thank you so much, Ate — see you sa pros next year.”
That “Ate” is none other than Joan Monares, a spiker herself for the University of the Philippines.
And while Joan has built her own legacy in maroon, she made it her mission to support her younger sister in green and gold — especially in the unpredictable hours leading up to the draft.
For Joan, it wasn’t just about being present — it was about being the calm in the storm of nerves Ann had been battling in the days leading to the selection.
“Siyempre drafting, hindi talaga maiwasan na kabahan, or parang hindi mo alam kung anong mangyayari eh — it’s out of your control,” Joan shared.
“Nireremind ko siya na you had a good run last UAAP, pati yung seasons even before… So I think malaking tulong naman ’yun coming into this league.”
She never promised her sister anything — not a specific round or a team. Instead, Joan offered something more valuable: belief.
“Alam ko na kaya niya. Nakakapag-usap kami. I was there to comfort her lang — ‘Meron ’yan, may kukuha sa’yo, tiwala lang, believe in yourself.’ At this point, hindi mo na dapat dinadoubt yung sarili mo kasi you’ve done the work. Now it’s their turn — the teams — to play their part and choose the players who fit.”
Ann, now officially part of the Farm Fresh Foxies, knows that being drafted is only the beginning. With her name on a professional roster, the next step is proving that she belongs there — and she's carrying all her learnings from FEU with her.
“Siguro four years ko sa FEU, madami po talagang learnings, especially merong mga iba't ibang composition ng coaches 'yung team namin,” she said. “Each of them, parang binibigyan kami mga principle, mga values na galing sa kanila, so parang kung lahat ng 'yun, gusto ko i-apply sa'kin going pro.”
But more than techniques or tactics, it’s her mindset that could prove most crucial.
“Siguro 'yung one thing talaga na natutunan ko is parang maging hungry sa improvement — na huwag kang mag-settle lang sa mga natutunan mo ngayon, mas lawakan mo pa 'yung isip mo and 'yung pag-tanggap mo sa mga puwede mong matutunan.”
.jpg)
