Julia Coronel during the PVL Rookie Draft combine.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
As if her schedule isn’t jampacked as it is with a commitment to the Alas Pilipinas team and the completion of her degree at La Salle, former Lady Spikers captain Julia Coronel is also set to turn pro after joining the first-ever PVL Rookie Draft.
After deciding to forego her remaining UAAP eligibility years, the 5-foot-6 playmaker is taking on a new challenge and swears that she’s ready for it.
“This is a different experience,” Coronel told the Inquirer with a mix of Filipino on Wednesday in Mandaluyong City during the Draft Combine where she got to play against La Salle teammates Thea Gagate and Maicah Larroza in scrimmages.
Coronel was a part of the formidable La Salle crew under coach Ramil de Jesus, which for the last three seasons landed podium finishes including a championship in Season 85.
“[Everything is] happening a bit too fast for me, but I am just here taking on every challenge that comes and I will try to do my best in every situation that will be given to me,” she said.
It is with the national team that Coronel crossed off a longtime dream of playing alongside veteran setter Jia de Guzman, something which greatly influenced her decision to turn pro.
“It was unexpected, because I never imagined being teammates with [De Guzman] cause I’ve been looking up to her for the longest time,” Coronel said. “I got to learn from her, from one of the best from our country.
“I really learned a lot [from her], which I am excited to apply hopefully in my future pro team,” she added.
National team first
With a standout resume, Coronel, who also made her versatility as an opposite hitter known, said a few PVL teams have already reached out to her, though nothing is final yet until the July 8 Draft.
She made it known, though, that on top of her commitments list is playing for the national team.
“With that hectic schedule, I would really say that I have to compromise, but my priority is the national team for the time being,” she said. “I hope that my future PVL team will also be understanding of that because I am not there just to play but to also serve our country.
“It’s still national team period, so once that is over, that’s when I’ll be fully committed [to my future PVL team].”
Coronel has stood out in the two-day combine after exhibiting her leaping abilities by logging a 27.78 inch standard vertical jump—the best in the class.
Given her productive years in the UAAP, Coronel looms as a sure first round pick and has promised to do her job right.
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“To the team that will pick me, I am a versatile player so whatever is needed of me, I am willing to fulfill that,” Coronel said.