They came in all shapes and sizes, but by the end of a grueling first day of the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Rookie Draft Combine at the Paco Arena last Friday, one athlete clearly stood out for her versatility and athleticism.
Alas Pilipinas standout and Central Washington University alumna Tia Andaya arrived at the combine fresh from national team training and made an immediate impact. She led all participants in both the countermovement jump (294 cm) and the approach jump (307 cm), showcasing her exceptional leaping ability and well-rounded skill set.
Andaya was among the 51 out of 60 draft hopefuls who showed up to display their physical prowess on Day 1 of the two-day combine. Over the course of the seven-hour pre-draft event, participants underwent a battery of athletic tests, including anthropometric measurements, strength assessments, jumping drills and speed and agility evaluations.
While Andaya led the jumping metrics, other aspirants also shared the spotlight with standout performances.
Von Dimaculangan of San Sebastian College-Recoletos posted the fastest 10-meter acceleration time at 1.55 seconds, while Jamaica Villena of Emilio Aguinaldo College clocked the best time in the modified T-test at 5.34 seconds.
Lea Rizel Tapang of Colegio de San Juan de Letran and Lyann De Guzman of Ateneo led the push-up test with 47 repetitions each, Riza Nogales of University of the East emerged as the tallest prospect at 184.3 cm, while Pearl Ann Denura was the shortest at 150.8 cm.
Nogales also tied with Zenneth Perolino of Enderun Colleges in standing reach, both measuring 243 cm.
Beyond the physical assessments, the participants attended back-to-back developmental sessions. The first was a media training workshop led by Inquirer Sports Editor and Philippine Sportswriters Association president Francis Ochoa. This was followed by a talk on contractual obligations, facilitated by Atty. Erose Marlo Laeno, head of the Legal Division at the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).
Noticeably absent from the combine were projected top overall pick Bella Belen of National University and seasoned setter Alohi Robins-Hardy. Also missing were Kristine Adante, Pauline De Guzman, and Nenita Padua (Arellano), Joan Doguna (Lyceum of the Philippines University), Ezriah Martinez (University of the Cordilleras) and Mary Ann Rioflorido (Toronto Metropolitan University).
“Nasa 60 ‘yung nag-lista, but only 51 arrived. Late lang si Tia (Andaya) but the other nine, hopefully dumating sila tomorrow (Saturday),” said Sherwin Malonzo, chairman of the PVL Control Committee.
Meanwhile, Mycah Go of De La Salle–College of St. Benilde was in attendance but did not take part in any of the combine activities.
The combine continues on Saturday, still at Paco Arena, where participants will engage in a series of scrimmages, giving them a final chance to impress scouts and coaches ahead of the main event.
Meanwhile, the second PVL Rookie Draft is slated for June 8 at Novotel Manila, the league’s official venue partner.
