Every season of the highly anticipated UAAP Volleyball is always much awaited by the fans young and old. Not only we will get to see which teams and volleybelles will dominate the season, we will also be able to see the new faces that will strut their stuff on the taraflex courts. These rookies will definitely show us the future of their respective schools and of course which coach won the recruitment wars during off season. Here are some standouts you should watch out for:
MILENA ALESSANDRINI – University of Santo Tomas
UST has probably acquired its best recruit yet in the form of this 6’1” Fil-Italian open hitter. Besides her stature, Milena is also an all-around player. She attacks, blocks, and defends well. After 3 games, she averages 11.7 points per game and is currently no. 7 and no.9 in scoring and blocking respectively. This rookie Tigress is definitely a strong candidate for the Rookie of The Year plum and has what it takes to be a future Queen Tigress.
CHIARA PERMENTILLA – Adamson University
This other Fil-Italian is touted to be the heir apparent to Jema Galanza’s throne as a Queen Falcon. Her performance during the Premiere Volleyball League Collegiate Conference has given a ray of hope to the Adamson faithful that this 80th season is Adamson’s year. Currently she is 9th Best Receiver of the league and is the 17th best scorer. The future for this Lady Falcon is very bright.
DANI RAVENA – Ateneo De Manila University
His brothers may be famous in basketball but Dani, youngest of the Ravena siblings, targets to make a difference for her team as much as she can. Being fielded in as the main libero for their previous two games, Dani did a good job and showed that finally their team’s libero woes will finally be solved. One thing is for sure, bearing the “Ravena” and “Ateneo” on her jersey means she is destined for something great.
ROVENA INSTRELLA – De La Salle University
Well technically it is her debut year in the UAAP even if she has been with the team for a while. We are all very aware that under head coach Ramil de Jesus, once you are chosen to be included in the line-up of the UAAP no matter what pool you are on, it means you are ready for battle to defend your school’s colors. We hope to see her being fielded in their games to show us why she was chosen by coach RDJ.
ROSELYN ROSIER – University of the Philippines
Roselyn is debuting this only this season despite being with UP for quite a while now. She has been scouted by former head coach Jerry Yee while she was still playing for Brent International School. She has also international exposure under her belt as she was one of the chosen athletes to represent the Philippines in the Girls’ Asian U17 Youth Games together with her now UP teammates Isa Molde, Justine Dorog and Maristella Layug. We can’t wait for this pretty volleybelle to be seen in action.
REMCEL SANTOS – University of the East
They always say that Rome wasn’t built overnight. Knowing that head coach Francis Vicente develops and brings out the best in a player no matter the skill level is, he is determined to give UE the best program. He starts by scouting tall players and one of them is Remcel Santos. Although she was on Team B before, being 6’2” gave coach Francis a hope that he will develop her into a monster player that UE can rely on in the future.
MARIANNE CALINAWAN – Far Eastern University
This Lady Tamaraw has a pretty impressive volleyball resume. Before donning the green and gold jersey, she was the former team captain of the SWU Girls Volleyball Team. She has also been given the Best Blocker award during the 2010 CVRAA Meet. She was also a gold medalist in CESAFI Girls Division, Palarong Pambansa, Regional Shakey’s V-League and National Milo Olympics. Who knows that someday she might be the key for FEU’s hunt for their 30th UAAP Championship.
CAT POLLENTES – University of Santo Tomas
Cat’s unexpected debut game came when RJ Rivera twisted her knee during the start of UST-Ateneo game. Despite the pressure and the crowd rallying behind the opponent, she kept calm and performed consistently and steadily as a libero. A top setter during her high school days, she is now expected to patrol UST’s back line and is expected to step up more than ever.
Who are on your watchlist? Tell us about them below!
