Nothing will stop these two 2025 PVL Rookie Draft aspirants from pursuing their professional volleyball dreams.
The odds may be against them, but Rose Ann Pinuela and Mary Angela Jackson remain undaunted in their attempt to realize their professional volleyball dreams through the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft.
Thirty-nine-year-old Pinuela is the oldest among 60 initial applicants in this year’s rookie class, while 20-year-old Jackson is the youngest among the bunch.
But in their own ways, both prospects seek to prove that age is just a number when following one’s dreams.
Never too late
For Rose Pinuela, applying for the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft is her attempt to chase a lifelong dream she once sidelined.
A product of Olivarez College, Pinuela opted to pursue a full-time career in modeling, before the opportunity to apply in the Rookie Draft came up this year.
“This is my dream and actually tinigil ko kasi siya. Pinush ko ‘yung pagmomodel kasi somebody discovered me and I tried it. Then now, my best friend told me na why not [apply for the PVL Draft], kasi that’s your passion,” Pinuela said during Day 1 of the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft Combine at Paco Arena in Manila.
Without going into details, the 39-year-old has also been the victim of discrimination throughout her life, but has nonetheless kept on going to get through these challenges.
For her, it’s no different as she applies for this year’s draft, where she will be part of a class that includes younger and more battle-tested prospects.
“Just follow your passion, since ako, this is my passion. Ang dami kasing discrimination sa life ko eh, so thank God for me na I always passed it. Kaya gusto ko na ipagpatuloy ‘yung passion ko and I don’t ever want to give up, I just want to follow my goal,” Pinuela, who claims to have played as an outside hitter and middle blocker during her younger days.
“You know, I’m 39 years old right now, but age is just a number for me, and this is my first time na mag-join sa PVL, so go for it!”
Deliberate choice
At 20, Angela Jackson isn’t just the youngest prospect in the 2025 Rookie Draft class, as she also enters as a fresh graduate out of high school.
Jackson is a product of the University of the Philippines Integrated School, and explained that going to the pros straight out of high school was a deliberate choice made with her mentor.
“Gusto po talaga namin na I’ll go straight to pro after high school, and by the time na I graduated high school, the PVL already introduced the age limit na 21 years old [by December 31, 2025],” Jackson told the media in a separate interview during Day 1 of the Draft Combine.
“So ayun po, I entered the draft po, and I think this process is much easier. So I took it as a sign to go na.”
But why the decision? For the 20-year-old, it’s a move that could accelerate her growth into the player that she aspires to be down the line, given the talent level within the PVL.
“Syempre mas ma-experience ‘yung mga kasama mo, so I feel like you’ll be able to go to a higher level kaagad with the pros. Feeling ko I have a better chance at going to a level that I aspire to be and I can grow faster,” Jackson explained, while tempering her expectations toward this year’s draft.
Like Pinuela, Angela Jackson enters the 2025 Rookie Draft as an unknown prospect, and lacks the high-profile exposure afforded to many of her fellow aspirants. But in the towering hitter’s view, initiatives such as the Draft Combine will give them one last shot to stand out from the rest of their fellow rookies.
“Even if they don’t get the UAAP exposure, it’s a good chance for them [similar prospects] and for me to showcase my skills. Of course bukod sa skills, kung ano pa pong pwede na possibilities ko. So I feel like the draft combine is a very good platform for players who don’t get the chance to be in the UAAP.”
What to expect?
In a talent-laden draft class, the biggest question now is what both Rose Pinuela and Mary Angela Jackson can offer should a PVL team take a chance on them this June 8.
For Pinuela, she believes that her age will actually be a crucial asset, given the wisdom she’s earned over the years outside of volleyball. The 39-year-old also describes herself as a devout Catholic, and one that is positive in the face of challenges.
“Siguro ‘yung faith ko kay Lord, and I really try to stay positive. Ipu-push ko ‘yung team ko if ever na laban lang, and just always do our best,” Pinuela said when asked about her possible contributions.
Jackson, meanwhile, highlighted her work ethic, along with a towering frame that could help teams on net defense.
“I’m very confident in my blockings, and hardworking din naman po ako. I’ll be working hard to reach whatever expectations that will be placed on me, and to reach that certain level that the PVL asks of me,” she said.
Regardless of what their fate will be, both Pinuela and Jackson are just glad to have tried their shot at the PVL Rookie Draft in a bid to fulfill their volleyball dreams.
There is the pressure to keep up with the rest of her peers, but Jackson is nonetheless taking things in stride as this year’s youngest draft prospect.
“I take it na I have more leeway since I’m the youngest, so hindi ko rin masyadong pinepressure ‘yung sarili ko. But opo, syempre, nakaka-anxiety din since they’re all older than me, and I’m expecting myself din na makipagsabayan with them even if I’m the youngest,” she admitted.
Similarly, Rose Pinuela just wants to enjoy her shot at fulfilling a lifelong dream, while making sure to give it her all throughout the process.
“Sports lang naman, and okay lang naman, basta just try our best, try our very best. Medyo kinakabahan, andon ‘yung kaba, pero push lang natin.”
Banner images courtesy of Cas Aseoche, Premier Volleyball League.