Alyssa Solomon might be headed to Korea once her UAAP volleyball career comes to a close this Season 87.
If all goes according to plan, Alyssa Solomon could be headed to South Korea at the conclusion of her storied UAAP women’s volleyball career with the NU Lady Bulldogs.
Solomon is one of four Filipina volleyball stars trying their luck in the 2025 Korean V-League Asian Quota Draft organized by the Korean Volleyball Federation (KOVO), which is set for April 11 at the Mayfield Hotel in Seoul.
Joining Solomon are veterans Maddie Madayag, Majoy Baron, and Mars Alba, as well as Marck Espejo in the men’s division for this year’s Asian Quota draft. Following NU’s straight-set win over the UP Lady Maroons last Sunday, the 23-year-old recalled how her unexpected, but straightforward draft application materialized.
“Madali lang ‘yung process since online naman ‘yung nangyaring tryouts, so kailangan lang namin mag-send ng videos and mag-fill up ng form, ‘yun lang po, ganon lang po,” Solomon narrated following the Lady Bulldogs’ 25-13, 25-23, 25-22 win over UP.
“Actually parang biglaan lang siya since focused ako sa UAAP that time, and biglang may nag-approach sakin na agent, na tinanong kung gusto ko mag-try out sa [Korean V-League] and tinanong ko kung online or kailangan ko pumunta doon. Sabi naman online, so parang wala akong magiging problema, mag-submit lang ako ng mga files na kailangan,” she recalled.
Should Solomon get drafted, she would be the third Filipina to play in the V-League following Petro Gazz Angels middle blocker MJ Phillips, and Capital1 Solar Spikers setter Iris Tolenada.
However, the Season 86 Finals MVP is tempering her expectations and is understandably focused on finishing her NU career with back-to-back titles.
“Wala, wala [expectations]. Diyan lang muna siya po [on the side] and mas focused ako dito sa UAAP,” she said.
On top of this, Solomon also confirmed having a backup plan should her Korean league aspirations fall through.
“May isa pa po akong option,” the 23-year-old revealed, while staying mum on further details.
Need for consistency
And as she focuses on NU’s title defense, Solomon highlighted her and the Lady Bulldogs’ need to be consistent for the Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament. NU currently holds a 5-0 record, with a finals rematch coming up against the UST Golden Tigresses this March 15.
The Lady Bulldogs have played like a well-oiled machine for much of Round 1, but were nearly upset by the FEU Lady Tamaraws last February 23, and allowed UP to keep things close despite a commanding win in Set 1 on Sunday.
“Syempre nagsa-start ‘yan sa mindset mo, kung paano mo sila kakalabanin, kung ibibigay mo ba ‘yung 100 percent mo or magsi-stay ka lang sa mas mababang level,” Solomon explained. “So parang nung second and third [set vs. UP], naging complacent kami sa igagalaw namin since nung first set feeling namin kayang kaya. So nung nasa second and third, nag-relax po.”
As the defending champions, Solomon pointed out the target on NU’s backs, with each team determined to score a victory against the Lady Bulldogs throughout Season 87.
“Syempre pinagtatrabahuhan talaga namin every game, bibigay namin ‘yung best namin and hindi kami magre-rest kahit nasa top kami. Kasi lahat ng teams hinahabol kami and lahat ng teams gustong matalo kami. So kami naman, ibibigay talaga namin ‘yung best namin,” she said.
Images courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.