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Following a disappointing end to her UAAP career, Lucille Almonte is ready to step out of her comfort zone and start anew in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).
Almonte, who spent five years with Adamson University, struggled to find playing time in her final year with the Lady Falcons. The team ended Season 86 second to last with a 3-11 win-loss record, a stark contrast to their Final Four appearance the previous year.
"Siguro po yung mindset ko is ano talaga, work hard. Kasi iba na yung intensity pagdating sa paglalaro dito sa pro, kailangan talaga pagsipagan and mag-sacrifice na naman tayo," said Almonte during the PVL Draft Combine at the Gameville Ball Park last Tuesday.
The 23-year-old outside hitter shared that her coaches at Adamson encouraged her to spread her wings and apply for the draft.
"Nung sinabihan na po ako ng mga coaches ko na kailangan mo na… Alam mo ‘yun, spread mo na yung wings mo para sa PVL. And yun kailangan na din mag-out sa comfort zone," she said.
Almonte’s tenure with Adamson wasn’t uneventful; she played a pivotal role in turning around the Lady Falcons program.
The spiker from Davao contributed significantly to the team’s bronze-medal finish in Season 85, despite finding herself on the bench for most of her final year in San Marcelino.
Now, Almonte is ready to leave the past behind and start fresh in the country’s flourishing volleyball league. The Kings Montessori product is one of 47 draft hopefuls looking to secure a spot in one of the 12 teams through the first-ever PVL Rookie Draft, set for July 8 at Novotel.
Almonte hopes to regain her confidence through the two-day combine.
"Personally, isa talaga ‘to sa dapat mag-boost sa amin ng confidence lalo na ako at sa mga ibang players. Kasi you know, ito yung isa sa mga pinakamalaking league sa volleyball sa pro," said Almonte.
"I hope lahat kami mabigyan ng chance and opportunity na makapag-play sa mga malalakas na teams."
