These rookies show that under the radar talents can still find their place in the PVL.
In a rookie class headlined by standouts from the UAAP and NCAA, three talents have proven that even those away from the big leagues can still find their place in the professional scene after getting selected during the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft.
Headlining this group is the Enderun one-two punch of outside hitter Erika Jin Deloria and middle blocker Zenneth Perolino, who were selected 20th and 21st overall by Chery Tiggo and PLDT, respectively, during the draft proper held last June 8 at the Novotel Hotel.
One round later, Ivy Aquino from the Asian Institute of Maritime Studies followed suit, being selected at 24th overall by Capital1 to complete their own draft haul.
By being selected into a team, all three rookies became the first-ever PVL Draft selections that do not come from any UAAP or NCAA school, which serves as a testament to the hard work they have put in to overcome the odds.
“For me, ‘yung journey hindi siya naging madali, and if you want something, you work hard for it. Kahit gaano pa ‘yan kahirap, kung dream mo talaga, gagawin mo lahat, and for me so far, lahat ng pinaghirapan ko, it’s paid off,” Deloria said moments after being selected by Chery Tiggo.
“Ganon lang din ‘yung gusto ko maiwan sa mga tao, na pag feeling nila, wala nang hope or wala nang chance pumasok sa PVL.”
Uphill climb
As mentioned by Erika Deloria, exposure is the biggest challenge that under-the-radar talents have to face, especially with the UAAP and NCAA receiving extensive media coverage throughout the season.
Given this, talents from lesser-known schools have their work cut out if they want to be noticed by talent scouts.
“At first, it was very difficult talaga, kasi iba ‘yung kailangan namin na mindset, kasi wala kami sa UAAP, wala kami sa NCAA,” reflected Aquino. “Hindi kami kilalang teams, tas ‘yung mga nakakalaban namin is hindi ganon kalalakas din.”
“Pero like sa sarili mo, kung gusto mo, maabot mo eh, kailangan ipu-push mo lang ‘yung sarili mo palagi and gawin mong inspirasyon ‘yung family mo and ‘yung mga tao na naniniwala sayo.”
Zenneth Perolino admitted feeling pressure due to these uneven circumstances, but nonetheless put in the extra work on the daily, capitalizing on any opportunities that arrived on her doorstep.
In her and Deloria’s case, there was the mentorship they received from Enderun tactician Ariel “Dong” Dela Cruz, who concurrently serves as an assistant coach to Dante Alinsunurin with the NU Bulldogs in UAAP men’s volleyball and the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the PVL.
“The system that we have is also the system that the NU [men’s volleyball team] has, and Choco Mucho, which has been proven and tested. So beyond the fear, we also have high faith in ourselves to God, and also to the training that we have been doing with the Enderun coaches,” said the former Enderun middle blocker.
On work ethic and competitiveness
Now that they are part of the PVL, the next challenge for Erika Deloria, Zenneth Perolino, and Ivy Aquino is to prove their mettle against more veteran opponents in the professional scene.
For her part, Deloria believes that she has enough competitive fire to thrive in a cutthroat league like the PVL.
“Tahimik ako, pero gagawin ko yung lahat para maka-contribute sa team and I hate losing, ganoon ako ka-competitive kahit syempre humble in defeat. Pero kung pwede ko manalo, gusto ko manalo,” said Deloria as she prepares to learn from the likes of Ara Galang, Cess Robles, and Shaya Adorador.
“And also, ‘yung passion ko for the sport, very passionate talaga ako, and gusto ko lang i-thank ‘yung Chery Tiggo for taking the risk. Kahit hindi ako kilala, kinuha nila ako.”
Perolino, who will link up with Majoy Baron, Mika Reyes, and Dell Palomata at PLDT, is already excited to learn from players that she has idolized since the start of her volleyball journey.
“I know naman that the middle blockers sa PLDT is talagang veterans, and ever since I was in high school, they are the middle blockers that I look up to the most, lalong-lalo na po sa La Salle. So now that I will hopefully get to play with them, I want to learn more and to really tapatan man kung ano ‘yung nagi-give nila sa PLDT,” she said.
Aquino, meanwhile, admitted that she has a lot left to learn, given that she doesn’t come from the highly competitive environments offered by the UAAP and NCAA. Still it’s a challenge she looks forward to taking on, knowing that the lessons she can learn as a professional will help elevate her game.
As the cherry on top, Aquino is also set to reunite with top overall pick Bella Belen in the PVL, who was a childhood friend that she used to play pickup volleyball games with.
“Sobrang excited [to be in the PVL]! Actually, before, nung high school pa ako nakakasama ko si Bella and alam ko, sobrang gifted at talented niya talaga. And I look forward na makasama ulit siya sa loob ng court at the same time ngayon sa pro na kami,” Aquino said, while describing Belen as a bubbly person who brings a massive jolt of positivity to her team.
“So, ayan, marami akong matututunan kasi ang dami ko pang gaps, especially hindi ako galing ng NCAA tsaka UAAP.”
Images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.
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