By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense volleybelles Erika Jin Deloria and Shane Carmona are set to fulfill their professional dreams by entering the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Rookie Draft, scheduled for June 8.

Deloria and Carmona are among the three Enderun College Lady Titans standouts, aside from middle blocker Zenneth Perolino, who successfully submitted their applications for the PVL Draft by the deadline yesterday.

Deloria, who was awarded the 2024 NAASCU MVP and recognized as the MPVA Best Outside Spiker, expressed that participating in the draft is a significant step towards realizing her aspiration of competing in the first-ever professional women’s volleyball league in the Philippines.

“Lahat naman ng naglalaro ng volleyball ay pangarap ang makalaro sa pro league. Kaya ka nagsusumikap sa high school and college is to have that chance to fulfill that dream,” Deloria said.

“Gusto ko rin magkaroon ng chance na makalaban or makakampi ‘yung mga dating pinapanood ko lang sa TV,” the 5-foot-6 1/2 volleybelle, an avid fan of Alyssa Valdez and Creamline Cool Smashers, added.

Carmona also wants to continue her volleyball journey in the pros after teaming up with Deloria in leading the Bacolod Tay Tung High School and the Lady Titans to numerous title finishes.

“We joined the PVL Rookie Draft for a chance to fulfill our dreams,” the 5-foot-3 Carmona said.

“If ever we are drafted, we will surely give our best sa teams na pipili sa amin sa practices and sa actual games,” she added.

“With our experience playing for various tournaments like Palarong Pambansa and NAASCU, we know that we can also help the teams that will pick us,” the 2022 NAASCU MVP winner said.

Following the application submissions, the rookie candidates will participate in a draft combine from May 30 to 31, with the final list of draftees to be announced on June 4, just four days prior to the draft./ASC, WDJ