Away from college limelight, Enderun stars get their chance
In a draft class filled with collegiate stars from the biggest universities who compete either in the NCAA or UAAP, it would be easy to dismiss lesser-known players who didn’t have the same kind of coverage during their varsity stints.
But despite the odds not quite in their favor, there were some who dared to dream—and saw those dreams come to life.
Two of them, Enderun Colleges standouts Erika Deloria and Zenneth Perolino, now look to become inspirations for other players in lesser-known programs who want to break into the pro ranks.
“If you want something, you need to work hard for it. No matter how hard it might be—if it’s really your dream and passion, you will do everything to achieve it,” Deloria said as she became the first non-UAAP or NCAA school to get drafted this year.
“So far, everything I worked for paid off and that’s also what I want other people to learn, [especially those] who feel like there’s no hope or chance to enter PVL,” the outside hitter said after being selected 20th overall by Chery Tiggo.
There were only eight applicants who didn’t come from the country’s most prestigious schools, aside from the six overseas-based hopefuls out of the 57 total candidates.
Aside from the former Lady Titans, there was only Ivy Aquino, a middle blocker out of Asian Institute of Maritime Studies, who also got lucky as she was picked in the third round by Capital1.
“One of the reasons why we’re overthinking a lot is that we’re not part of the UAAP. However, we believe that the system that [coach Dong Dela Cruz] offered to us [is good enough],” Perolino said as she was drafted by PLDT right after her teammate.
Dela Cruz is a part of Dante Alinsunurin’s five-peat champions National University Bulldogs coaching staff. The closest that the Enderun stalwarts have come to competing against the other collegiate standouts was in the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association, where they matched up against NCAA teams.
“[Not having enough] exposure is really the biggest barrier. The intensity of the game is really different when it comes to the UAAP and NCAA,” Deloria said. “There’s a sense of pride because I was able to do this.”
“Even if we’re under the radar in terms of not having the same exposure, I think [Dela Cruz] produces good and quality players and they are also just looking for a chance to shine as well,” she added.
“I also dreamed of playing in the UAAP. It didn’t happen but I didn’t stop and the Lord gave me something better,” Perolino said.
