Already a pro, Deloria continues fueling Enderun program
Galeries Tower rising star Erika Deloria is proof that players from schools outside the UAAP and NCAA can carve out successful careers in the Premier Volleyball League.
As Enderun Colleges continues to build its volleyball program, coach Dong Dela Cruz points to his former captain as the example he wants his current Lady Titans to follow.
“That’s what I keep telling our players—that even if you’re not from the UAAP or NCAA, it’s still possible to get drafted into the PVL. You can still build a volleyball career after college,” said Dela Cruz, who was part of coach Dante Alinsunurin’s staff during the Philippine men’s volleyball team’s silver-medal finish in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
Deloria, a second-round pick by Chery Tiggo in last year’s PVL Rookie Draft, has emerged as one of Galeries Tower’s top scorers after joining the HighRisers following the disbandment of the Crossovers. She opened her second season with a career-high 24 points in Galeries Tower’s 25-17, 24-26, 25-19, 26-24 victory over Farm Fresh on July 11 at Batangas City Sports Coliseum.
Dela Cruz said he saw Deloria’s potential long before she reached the professional ranks.
“I already saw her potential because Erika is a very talented player,” he said. “She’s naturally quiet, so during her final year I made her team captain to help her find her voice and develop as a leader. I was really preparing her to get drafted into the PVL.”
The Enderun mentor also praised Deloria’s achievements beyond the court.
“I’m very proud of what she’s achieved,” Dela Cruz said. “Erika isn’t just an excellent volleyball player—she also graduated magna cum laude. I know she’ll do well wherever she goes. She still has room to improve, but the most important thing is that she’s making the most of the playing time she’s getting and showing everyone her talent.”
Message sent
Deloria’s rise has given Enderun’s current roster inspiration that the path to the professional ranks is possible, even without playing for any of the country’s traditional collegiate powers.
That message comes as the Lady Titans continue to test themselves in the Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals, where they earned their first victory on Wednesday with a 25-16, 29-27, 25-16 sweep of Ho Chi Minh City at Ninoy Aquino Stadium behind Althea Botor’s 14 points.
Although Enderun dropped its first three matches, Dela Cruz said the tournament has provided valuable experience against UAAP, NCAA and international competition.
“Our goal is to gain experience by playing against some of the best NCAA and UAAP teams. This is a different level of competition,” Dela Cruz told the Inquirer in Filipino. “We’ll also be facing international teams from Vietnam and Australia, so it’s a great opportunity for us.”
“This is the first time we’ll be competing at this level, and we also want to show everyone that Enderun Colleges has a good volleyball program.”
Enderun shoots for its second win against Letran on Thursday, while Deloria returns to action with Galeries Tower in its second PVL preseason game against Nxled on Aug. 1 in Polomolok, South Cotabato.
