One of the early PVL Draft Combine revelations, former UST Golden Tigress Pierre Abellana hopes that the pros will give her a much-needed breakthrough.
Heading into UAAP Season 85, Pierre Abellana was once part of the UST Tigresses’ “Golden Trinity” alongside fellow rookies Xyza Gula and Reg Jurado who made quite an impression in the squad’s preseason tilts.
However, things wouldn’t go Abellana’s way in the UAAP, as she saw limited action in two seasons with the Tigresses. Despite her upside, a breakthrough couldn’t come for the Cebuana at the collegiate level.
Fast forward to today, and Pierre is one of 47 aspirants in the Premier Volleyball League’s inaugural Rookie Draft. As she turns pro, Pierre looks to finally unleash her full potential as a wing spiker.
“Super gusto ko po siya ipakita [‘yung laro ko]. Kasi feel ko, alam ko siguro na sa sarili ko na hindi pa nila nakikita kung paano po talaga ako maglaro,” she told a group of reporters after Day 1 of the inaugural PVL Draft Combine in Mandaluyong.
There’s also the ghost of Season 86 for Pierre, where she and the Tigresses fell short of a championship.
“For me personally, laki din po siya [her last season]. Kasi especially na parang onti lang yung playing time ko last year. Ayun nga po, hindi po namin na-achieve yung goal. So siguro dito ko po siya [sa PVL] babalik.”
It’s safe to say that Abellana is making a strong case early on. On Day 1 of the PVL Draft Combine, the wing spiker impressed in the one-minute push-up drills with 43 reps, and the 60m shuttle run which she completed in 14.35 seconds.
Also notable is the Cebuana’s leaping ability, with her 25.0 inch vertical jump, and a 299 centimeter vertical jump with an approach that simulated a spiking motion.
“Hindi ko po siya in-expect pero ‘yun po ‘yung…minindset [ko]…’yung habang nakasunod pa lang ako, ayun po, parang do it. Parang gusto ko maabot ‘yung pinakataas,” she admitted.
Selfless decision
But while she’s hungry to prove herself, Pierre Abellana’s decision to go pro is primarily built on selflessness. While she still has three playing years left, the wing spiker already wants to earn and support her family.
“Apart from that, sa team po ako lang naman ‘yung umalis and ang dami pumasok na rookie, so gusto ko rin ibigay ‘yung opportunity na ‘yun sa kanila since na-try ko naman po na maglaro for years,” she said.
“Mahirap [to leave UST] pero hindi po gano’ng masakit kasi parang ginawa ko naman po lahat. Ayun po, gusto ko din po yung mga bata namin sa UST na sila po yung ma-expose naman sa field na ito and sila po yung mag-excel.”
If all goes well for Pierre, she’ll be facing her former coaches in a few months, namely Kung Fu Reyes with the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, Lerma Giron with the Galeries Tower Highrisers, and Shaq delos Santos with the Cignal HD Spikers.
Chery Tiggo, in particular, also has Eya Laure, one of the players Pierre looks up to. “Sila po yung nag-guide sa akin. And ngayon, gusto ko po may experience na kami naman po yung magkaharap.”
But even if that happens, Pierre will forever have the support of these figures, especially her coaches. After all, they were the first people to believe in her decision to go pro.
“Alam po nila [she’ll go pro], supportive po sila. At ngayon po, parang ni-reassure din naman po nila na kaya ko po and for sure na andyan po sila para sa akin.”
Banner Image courtesy of the PVL.
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