As a potential PVL rookie, former Ateneo captain Roma Mae Doromal looks to bank on what she’s learned in her four-year Ateneo career.
From being a silver lining in Ateneo’s rebuild, libero and one-time captain Roma Mae Doromal now enters the next chapter of her volleyball career, as she is part of the PVL’s inaugural Rookie Draft class.
A part of PVL history, Doromal now enters uncharted waters for the first time in five years, while carrying the Blue and White pride at that.
“At first, parang overwhelming to think na meron nang draft, ‘tas from Ateneo [ako] and then, tapos na ‘yung college era, so medyo scary siya,” Doromal, the lone Atenean aspirant, said after Day 2 of the PVL Draft Combine in Mandaluyong.
Yet in this time of uncertainty, the libero actually finds inspiration in her Katipunan roots, adding: “Pang-dagdag din ng [confidence] na I’m from Ateneo and ‘yung mga natutunan ko doon madadala ko siya sa PVL.”
For one, Doromal believes her leadership is something that was sharpened greatly in Ateneo. Even as a potential PVL rookie, she’s already eager to be one of her future team’s leaders right off the bat.
“Hinelp kasi ako ni coach Sergio [Veloso] to become a leader talaga. So ‘yun talaga ‘yung for sure na madadala ko. ‘Yung mga skills din na tinuro nya, ‘yung sa technicalities, yun talaga yung mahe-help ko,” Doromal said.
“Hopefully maturuan ko din ‘yung iba kong teammates with ‘yung mga skills na bago na hindi nila alam.”
Selflessness is another trait Doromal will bring to the pros, which she’s inherited as an Atenean student. “‘Yung sinasabi ko na women for others, ‘yung talagang value na ‘yun. Hopefully matulong ko siya and mapassa din sa magiging future ka-teammates ko,” she said.
The next Roma Doromal
Besides going pro, Roma Mae Doromal is also eager to be in the same league as her ate Roma Joy of the Galleries Tower Highrisers. While she’s just as excited to learn from league veterans, nothing beats the possibility of playing with (or against) a family member in the PVL.
“Well siyempre very happy ‘yun sa part ko and siyempre magiging proud ‘yung parents namin. Yung talaga yung pinaka-important dun and pinaka-goal siguro namin na makita nila kami in one league na this time,” she said.
For now, ate Roma Joy is one of Roma Mae’s confidants as an aspiring pro. Ate’s biggest advice? Just enjoy the journey according to the Atenean libero.
“Actually nakakatakot kasi talaga na parang madaming emotions kang mafe-feel. But at the same time kailangan lang kahit takot ka, lumaban ka pa rin. Sinabi niya naman [Roma Joy] mag-enjoy lang ako and then bahala na kung anong mangyari. I-give ko lang din yung best ko.”
With the Draft Combine now concluded, Roma Mae Doromal’s fate now lies in the hands of the 12 PVL teams. Should her name be called on July 8, Doromal just hopes to be in a give-and-take situation, where her team takes care of her, as she tries to make an impact with her skills and leadership.
But this time around, she just hopes to have more success as a professional. Admittedly, she’s just as motivated by her last UAAP year, where Ateneo had a slight chance to steal a Final Four slot.
“Yes, of course. Yan talaga ‘yung parang pinangahawakan ko din this time. Hindi pa ako nakapag-championship. Hopefully talaga sa PVL magawaan ko siya ng paraan and ‘yun, magkaroon ng championship,” said Doromal, who made the Final Four once with Ateneo in UAAP Season 84.
Banner Image courtesy of the UAAP Season 86 Media Team.
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