Overshadowed no more.
Far Eastern University middle blocker Jean Asis defied expectations and soared to the No. 2 overall selection in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Rookie Draft, held Sunday at Novotel Manila Araneta City. While the spotlight early on was firmly fixed on three-time UAAP MVP Bella Belen, it was Asis who turned heads and stole the show as Galeries Tower made the surprise — but calculated — call to choose her second overall.
In a talent-rich draft pool of 57 aspirants, the steady and composed Asis stood out through grit, poise, and presence. Her rise wasn’t just luck — it was the result of years of commitment and a defining performance in the PVL Draft Combine that showcased what coaches hadn't fully seen on UAAP courts.
“For me, sobrang nakatulong ang Draft Combine. Doon kasi ipapakita mo kung paano ka talaga magpe-perform so shinow ko lang paano talaga,” said Asis, reflecting on the two-day event that gave draftees the rare platform to prove their worth.
“Siguro nakatulong yun for coaches na makita kung ano po talaga yung potential na meron ako,” she added.
Indeed, Asis made her presence known in drills and scrimmages, outshining even more decorated peers. Known for her quiet but commanding court demeanor at FEU, she wasn’t just playing — she was leading, diving into blocks, and firing quick attacks with precision.
She had been the anchor of the Lady Tamaraws’ steady resurgence over the past two seasons, helping the team go from a dismal 1-13 campaign to a Final Four berth in UAAP Season 86. That journey, she says, built the foundation for the athlete — and leader — she has become.
“Siguro, since I have experience na rin sa FEU from eighth to Final Four, siguro I want to help din ‘yung Galeries na tumaas din ‘yung rank sa PVL,” said Asis, her voice laced with both humility and hunger.
The Highrisers, who are still carving out their identity in the PVL, now welcome a proven worker who knows what it takes to uplift a struggling squad. Asis has always been more substance than spotlight, but Sunday’s draft changed that. Her name now sits just beneath Bella Belen’s on the draft board — a reminder that hard work does get rewarded.
“Sobrang saya po. Ang dami namin, pero ako ‘yung nabigyan ng chance na maging second pick. Sobrang thankful sa coaches ng Galeries na pinagkatiwalaan nila ako sa posisyon na ‘to,” she said, beaming with pride.
