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| (Image Source: Premier Volleyball League) |
Barely has the euphoria from the record-setting Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference Finals faded when the league shifted its focus to the future, announcing the opening of applications for the highly anticipated 2025 PVL Rookie Draft. Petro Gazz’s dramatic victory over 10-time champion Creamline in a sudden-death Game 3 capped a historic six-month-long All-Filipino Conference that captivated fans and showcased the league’s growing stature. While no rookies played in the Finals, they were among the breakout stars throughout the conference with standout performances from Thea Gagate of ZUS Coffee, Ishie Lalongisip of Cignal, and Julia Coronel of Galeries Tower. Their impact has further underscored the depth and promise of the league’s future stars.
Encouraged by the PVL's unprecedented growth and the increasing prominence of young talent, the league officially opens its 2025 Rookie Draft online application on April 21, 2025. Aspiring pros must fill out the application form at http://pvl.ph/draft and email additional required documents to draft@pvl.ph. The application window closes on May 23, 2025 with the final list of applicants to be announced on June 4, 2025. The PVL Rookie Draft Ceremony is scheduled for June 7, 2025. Meanwhile, applicants must be female at birth as indicated in a PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority)-issued birth certificate. An applicant must be at least 21 years old on or before December 31, 2025. Those below 21 years old must be college graduates. There is no requirement for collegiate playing experience or academic units. Filipino-foreign applicants, on the other hand, must secure a Philippine passport or a receipt indicating the passport’s release before the May 23 deadline. An applicant who played college ball in the Philippines but not in the UAAP or NCAA must submit an endorsement letter from her collegiate coach or athletic director. Those who did not play in either the UAAP or NCAA are required to secure an endorsement letter from a current registered PVL, UAAP or NCAA coach.
Applicants must submit a fit-to-play medical clearance from a licensed physician along with a medical declaration. They must also submit a notarized declaration of no pending obligations with their collegiate or club team prior to applying for the draft. The draft lottery is scheduled on May 26, 2025. NXLED will have a 40-percent chance of securing the first overall pick, followed by Capital1 with 30 percent, Farm Fresh with 20 percent, and Galeries Tower with 10 percent. The rest of the order for the first round of the draft is as follows: Zus at fifth, Cignal at sixth, Chery Tiggo at seventh, Choco Mucho at eighth, PLDT at ninth, Akari at 10th, Petro Gazz at 11th and Creamline at 12th. The four teams with the combined worst records from the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference (1/3 of the computation) and the 2024-2025 PVL All-Filipino Conference (2/3 of the computation) will participate in the lottery. Applicants who pass the initial screening will be required to attend the three-day PVL Draft Combine on May 30-June 1, 2025. Attendance is mandatory for all invited applicants. The event will include physical measurements, medical tests, interviews, athletic tests, and scrimmages in front of coaches and officials.
Meanwhile, the Premier Volleyball League Press Corps will honor the best and the brightest in the past three conferences with its first-ever annual Awards Night slated to be held on May 27, 2025 at Novotel in Cubao, Quezon City. After a historic Rookie Draft last year, the league will mark another milestone with the staging of the in-season awards in collaboration with the PVL Press Corps and Sports Vision. The Pilipinas Live PVL Press Corps Awards Night is set to recognize athletes, coaches, and executives who stood out through the season, encompassing the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference, the 2024 Invitational Conference, and the recently concluded 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference. With Arena Plus as its presenting sponsor, the gala night will be headlined by major awards highlighted by the Most Valuable Player of the Season, Mythical Team, Rookie of the Year, Team of the Year, and Coach of the Year which will be deliberated by print and online scribes covering the league.
The winners will be decided based on overall statistics through the three conferences as well as votes from team representatives and members of the PVL Press Corps to ensure objective and impartial selections. Other citations to be feted include Executive of the Year, Most Improved Player, Miss Quality Minutes, Comeback Player of the Year, as well as a Mythical Team and Season MVP from men’s league Spikers’ Turf as well. Special awards will also be given out which will also include fan engagement and voting. Fans will be able to give their input in deciding certain plums including the Game of the Year, Star of the Night, and Fan Favorite. Voting mechanics will be posted on the PVL Press Corps’ social media during the voting period. Meanwhile, the team with the most green cards will be touted with the Fair Play Award.
