For many aspiring professional volleyball players, draft night serves as the finish line of years of sacrifice.
For Joan Monares, it may simply be another chapter in a journey that has rarely followed the easiest path.
The former University of the Philippines captain left the 2026 PVL Draft without hearing her name called among the 38 hopefuls gathered at Novotel Manila in Cubao. While 11 players officially began their professional careers, Monares found herself in unfamiliar territory — not selected, but far from defeated.
If there was one athlete in the draft pool equipped to handle disappointment, it was the player whose entire collegiate career was built on enduring uncertainty.
Representing UP in the UAAP meant surviving years of rebuilding, adapting to multiple coaching changes, and continuing to believe even when victories were difficult to come by. Those experiences shaped Monares into more than just a volleyball player. They taught her how to stay grounded when things did not go according to plan.
“If yung goal mo is to gain more experience, wala ka talagang talo. For UP, I am just really grateful and thankful that I got to experience everything. UP made me really strong, patient, and very resilient,” Monares told Tiebreaker Times.
“I know there’s still hope for all of us, for all of us na hindi na-draft tonight.”
The statement reflected the perspective of someone who understands that progress is not always measured by immediate rewards.
During her years with the Fighting Maroons, Monares witnessed the program gradually climb from the lower half of the standings into a team capable of threatening for a Final Four spot. After combined seven-win campaigns from Seasons 84 to 86, UP steadily improved, finishing sixth in Seasons 87 and 88 and proving it could compete with the league’s established contenders.
Those experiences taught Monares that setbacks rarely tell the whole story.
“I feel like UP made me really strong to a point, na I can handle everything. Kung ano man mangyari sa akin, kung saan man mapunta, or whatever challenges it may be, I am just really grateful na I get to have this chance, and I am not closing any doors. I am really open to any opportunities — may it be volleyball or outside that,” the pride of Bacolod shared.
OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.
Among the notable snubs in the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft were outside hitters Joan Monares (UP) and Xyza Gula (UST).
Other UAAP players who missed the cut were Kayce Balingit (UE), Taks Fujimoto (Ateneo), Heart Magsombol (UP), Sophia Sindayen (La Salle) and Florize Papa (FEU). pic.twitter.com/GB2LaxrKzv
— igor kobzar apologist (@rusvolleyteam8) June 3, 2026
Unlike many draft hopefuls who spent the past months attending team workouts and preparing for the Draft Combine, Monares was balancing a different challenge.
The 24-year-old outside hitter continued rehabilitation for a lingering back injury that limited her throughout most of UAAP Season 88 while simultaneously completing her undergraduate thesis at UP. Graduation remained a priority, and it required sacrifices.
Now that both responsibilities are behind her, Monares believes she can fully dedicate herself to whatever opportunity comes next.
“I think as a free agent, it does not matter if you get drafted tonight or mag-free agent ka. I think hindi ‘yon yung magde-define sa kanila [na] if na-draft ka sa event or not. There is still hope and many chances to get to do kasi pwede ka ring mag-tryout and explore teams,” Monares said.
“For me, lang kasi I was not able to train as much as other teams kasi mas nag-focus ako sa academics ko kasi I am graduating. I am just looking at the brighter side na after this draft, I have more time to try out and play with teams, kasi I am finished with school.”
Rather than dwelling on what did not happen, Monares spent draft night celebrating those who reached the milestone she continues to pursue.
Among them was former UP teammate Irah Jaboneta, who was selected fifth overall by Nxled, as well as her younger sister Ann Monares, who completed her rookie season with Farm Fresh after being drafted last year.
“I am just really proud of them kasi they get to play — that’s their dream, and that’s their passion. I support them no matter what.”
For now, Monares enters free agency carrying no bitterness and very little regret.
The dream of playing in the PVL remains alive. More importantly, she believes the years she spent wearing maroon prepared her for moments exactly like this.
After all, resilience was never something she learned after missing the draft.
It was something she developed long before draft night ever arrived.
“For me naman, I am not really closing all doors, may it be in volleyball or outside that. Just volleyball is a really big part of my life. I am just shooting my shot na makakalaro pa ba ako for PVL,” she said.
“I am just grateful.”
Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!
Follow our Facebook page Sports PH News today and join the community of passionate sports fans.
Leave a Reply