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Author: Andre Sotelo

  • Choco Mucho raids Cignal core anew with Dawn Macandili-Catindig signing 

    Choco Mucho raids Cignal core anew with Dawn Macandili-Catindig signing 

    Choco Mucho’s offseason makeover is quickly turning into one of the biggest stories of the PVL calendar — and the Flying Titans aren’t done reshaping their identity just yet.

     

    After watching the league landscape shift dramatically following Cignal’s leave of absence, Choco Mucho moved aggressively once more by securing veteran libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig and scorer Jewel Encarnacion, adding two more proven names from the former Super Spikers core.

     

    The acquisitions not only strengthen the Flying Titans’ roster on paper, but also signal the franchise’s clear intent to build a deeper, more battle-tested squad capable of surviving the grind of a long PVL season.

     

    For Choco Mucho, the arrival of Macandili-Catindig could prove especially massive.

     

    Long regarded as one of Philippine volleyball’s premier defensive anchors, the former national team standout brings years of leadership, stability, and championship experience into a team already loaded with firepower. Her addition alongside four-time Best Libero Thang Ponce instantly gives the Flying Titans what could become one of the league’s deepest defensive rotations — a crucial boost for a team that has repeatedly fallen just short in title hunts.

     

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    Meanwhile, Encarnacion adds another offensive option to a Choco Mucho side looking to lessen the scoring burden on its established stars. Known for her length and attacking versatility, the former Cignal winger gives the Flying Titans another reliable weapon on the wings as the franchise continues searching for the elusive breakthrough championship.

     

    The latest moves also further highlight how rapidly the PVL balance of power is changing after Cignal’s temporary exit from the league.

     

    What was once one of the PVL’s most stable cores has now been scattered across multiple contenders, with nearly every major franchise capitalizing on the sudden availability of experienced talent.

     

    Gandler and Erika Santos previously joined Capital1, Gel Cayuna and Jackie Acuña moved to Nxled, Erin Pangilinan landed at Creamline, while Tin Tiamzon transferred to Akari.

     

    Now, Choco Mucho has added its own major haul — and in doing so, may have quietly addressed two of its biggest needs in a single swoop.

     

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  • PBA adjusts 2026 Governors’ Cup calendar around packed Gilas Pilipinas schedule 

    PBA adjusts 2026 Governors’ Cup calendar around packed Gilas Pilipinas schedule 

    The PBA’s next conference will not simply revolve around the race for another championship — it will also revolve around Gilas Pilipinas.


    On Tuesday, the league officially released the full schedule for the 2026 Governors’ Cup, unveiling a calendar heavily shaped by the national team’s commitments in both the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers and the 20th Asian Games.


    The season-opening conference will begin on July 10, but unlike a traditional uninterrupted tournament run, the Governors’ Cup will unfold in phases as the league makes room for one of the busiest international stretches in recent Philippine basketball history.


    The opening leg of the elimination round will run from July 10 to August 14 before the PBA temporarily pauses operations for nearly two months to give way to Gilas Pilipinas duties.

    That break immediately places the spotlight on the national team.


    Gilas Pilipinas Men will first open its campaign in Window 4 of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers against the New Zealand Tall Blacks in Auckland on July 3 before traveling to Perth to battle the Australia Boomers on July 6.


    After the qualifier window, attention quickly shifts toward the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan scheduled from September 10 to 20 — a tournament where the Philippines will attempt to defend the historic gold medal it captured in Hangzhou.


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    The extended league break reflects how much importance Philippine basketball officials are placing on the national team campaign.


    Once Gilas completes its international assignments, the PBA resumes action on October 7, with the remaining elimination round games scheduled until October 21.


    The quarterfinals will then follow from October 23 to November 8 before another temporary shutdown arrives.


    The second break, stretching from November 9 to December 3, was again built around Gilas Pilipinas preparations for Window 5 of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers, scheduled from November 23 to December 1.


    After that final international interruption, the league will enter the decisive stretch of the conference.


    The best-of-five semifinals are slated from December 4 to December 13, while the Governors’ Cup Finals will begin on December 16 and could extend until December 30 if the series reaches the limit.


    With the calendar now finalized, the 2026 Governors’ Cup shapes up as one of the most nationally intertwined conferences the PBA has staged in years — one where league ambitions and national team responsibilities will constantly overlap throughout the season. 


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  • TNT activates Chris McCullough as semifinal series enters pivotal Game 4

    TNT activates Chris McCullough as semifinal series enters pivotal Game 4

    Just days after losing the centerpiece of its semifinal run, TNT is once again reshaping itself on the fly — this time with a familiar name stepping into the spotlight.

     

    Chris McCullough has officially been activated as the Tropang 5G’s new import ahead of Game 4 of the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals, signaling the start of a dramatically different chapter in TNT’s title defense.

     

    The former San Miguel reinforcement was formally inserted into the active roster after Malick Diouf was moved to the team’s injured/reserve list, according to an official league memo released Tuesday.

     

    The move finalizes TNT’s emergency import transition following the devastating Achilles injury suffered by Bol Bol in Game 2 of the series against Meralco.

     

    In many ways, McCullough now inherits a situation far different from the one TNT originally envisioned entering the semifinals.

     

    Bol had quickly become the centerpiece of the Tropang 5G’s playoff attack before his sudden injury forced the defending champions to improvise almost overnight. The uncertainty became even more chaotic when Diouf — initially lined up to replace Bol — failed to secure clearance in time to suit up for Game 3.

     

    Instead of folding under the circumstances, TNT responded with one of its grittiest performances of the conference.

     

    Playing without an import, the Tropang 5G escaped with a tense 77-75 victory over Meralco last Sunday to grab a 2-1 lead in the series.

     

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    Watching from the sidelines that night was McCullough himself.

     

    Fresh off his arrival in the Philippines, the former PBA champion import made the trip to the SM Mall of Asia Arena and witnessed firsthand the kind of fight TNT produced despite the absence of a reinforcement.

     

    Now, the responsibility shifts directly to him.

     

    McCullough will make his TNT debut in Game 4 as the Tropang 5G attempt to move within one win of another Finals appearance. Across the floor, Meralco will also unveil a new reinforcement in Patrick Gardner, setting up a rare scenario where both semifinal teams enter a crucial game integrating fresh imports at the same time.

     

    For TNT, however, McCullough’s arrival offers more than just size and scoring.

     

    Unlike many mid-series replacements, the 6-foot-10 forward already understands the demands of the PBA environment. He previously powered San Miguel to a Commissioner’s Cup championship and has long been regarded as one of the more versatile imports to play in the league.

     

    That familiarity could prove critical for a TNT squad trying to preserve momentum while adjusting to another major roster change in the middle of a heated semifinal battle.

     

    The challenge now is whether McCullough can seamlessly continue what Bol started — and help carry TNT the rest of the way toward another championship run.

     

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  • Nina Ytang embraces lifelong dream with Alas Pilipinas call-up  

    Nina Ytang embraces lifelong dream with Alas Pilipinas call-up  

    Long before she became one of the most dominant middle blockers in the UAAP, representing the Philippines was already part of Nina Ytang’s vision for herself.

     

    Not because of the spotlight that comes with wearing the national colors, but because of what she believes it stands for.

     

    Now officially part of the Alas Pilipinas pool for the 2026 AVC Women’s Nations Cup, the former University of the Philippines standout is finally stepping into a role she once only imagined — carrying not just her own dreams, but the responsibility that comes with playing for the country.

     

    For Ytang, the call-up feels deeply personal.

     

    “Grateful ako sa magiging experience, sa opportunity na ibinigay sa amin,” Ytang shared during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday.

     

    The four-time UAAP Best Middle Blocker has spent years building a reputation as one of collegiate volleyball’s most reliable frontliners, but she believes her time at UP shaped her perspective beyond individual success.

     

    Inside the Fighting Maroons program, Ytang said athletes were constantly reminded that representing something bigger than themselves always mattered most.

     

    “Coming from the University of the Philippines, it focuses talaga on serving the Philippines,” she said. “So I think it’s also part of our need to serve the Philippines and represent the country sa upcoming AVC.”

     

    That mindset now follows her into a national team loaded with experience.

     

    Ytang joins a veteran-heavy Alas Pilipinas pool bannered by established names such as Alyssa Valdez, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Ces Molina, Ara Galang, and Tots Carlos — players she once watched from afar and now trains beside every day.

     

    Rather than feeling overwhelmed, the 22-year-old middle blocker sees the environment as another opportunity to grow. 

     

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    “Bilang bago pa lang sa team na ‘to, ngayon po focus lang ako din po sa learnings na makukuha ko from my ates,” she shared.

     

    Even with the excitement surrounding her inclusion, Ytang knows the challenge ahead extends far beyond simply making the roster.

     

    The AVC Women’s Nations Cup will pit the Philippines against some of Asia’s toughest volleyball programs, placing heavy expectations on a team currently blending veterans with emerging young talent.

     

    For her part, Ytang insists the focus inside camp remains simple: work.

     

    “I think magtrabaho lang po kami nang maayos,” Ytang said. “Ibibigay naman po namin yung best po namin every day. Every single training pa lang po.”

     

    The national team stint also comes during a major transition period in Ytang’s career as she prepares to enter the upcoming PVL Rookie Draft, where she is widely expected to become one of the top selections.

     

    But before the professional stage fully arrives, Ytang is savoring what she considers the fulfillment of a lifelong goal.

     

    “It has always been my dream to represent the country,” she said. “Kaya sobrang thankful po ako na mabigyan ng opportunity na maging parte ng national team.”

     

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  • Gilas’ Asian Games plans move closer as Senate advances Bennie Boatwright naturalization 

    Gilas’ Asian Games plans move closer as Senate advances Bennie Boatwright naturalization 

    The Philippines’ bid to strengthen its basketball arsenal for the 2026 Asian Games moved a major step forward on Tuesday after the Senate approved on second reading the bill seeking the naturalization of Bennie Boatwright.

     

    While the process is not yet complete, the development places Gilas Pilipinas one step closer to potentially forming a formidable frontcourt tandem between Boatwright and longtime national team reinforcement Justin Brownlee for the country’s Asian Games title defense.

     

    The measure, authored by Senator Francis Pangilinan, cleared the Senate plenary after lawmakers tackled questions surrounding the naturalization process and the standards required in granting Filipino citizenship to foreign athletes.

     

    The bill now heads to third and final reading, widely considered the last major legislative hurdle before it reaches Malacañang for presidential approval.

     

    For the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, timing remains crucial.

     

    The federation hopes to complete Boatwright’s naturalization early enough for him to become eligible for the 2026 Asian Games, where Gilas Pilipinas will attempt to defend the historic gold medal it captured in Hangzhou.

     

    Pangilinan emphasized during deliberations that strengthening the national team through naturalized talent has become increasingly necessary given the growing international competition across Asia.

     

    According to the senator, several countries have already aggressively expanded their pool of naturalized players, citing Japan as an example with multiple reinforcements available for selection.

     

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    The discussions, however, also reopened broader conversations regarding how the country grants citizenship through legislative naturalization.

     

    During the Senate interpolation, Senator Rodante Marcoleta stressed the need for stricter standards and closer scrutiny when approving such measures.

     

    “Sana meron pa pong iba sanang mga pamantayan na magagamit natin,” said Marcoleta.

     

    “Sana sa mga ganitong instances ay susuriin natin mabuti para sa ganun, hindi lilitaw na napakadali nating i-grant ang citizenship na para sa atin ay bagay na dapat kinakailangang maging masinop tayo at maging mahigpit sapagkat ang pagiging Pilipino po ay hindi basta binibigay ng kahit kanino.”

     

    Pangilinan acknowledged the concerns and agreed that the process should continue to be handled carefully even as the country pursues competitiveness in international basketball.

     

    Boatwright has emerged as one of the SBP’s preferred candidates due to his versatility and scoring ability, qualities the national team believes could complement Brownlee in future FIBA and Asian Games campaigns.

     

    Should the bill officially become law, Boatwright would join a growing list of naturalized players who have represented the Philippines in major international tournaments — but with expectations immediately tied to helping Gilas remain among Asia’s elite.

     

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  • Birthday week magic fades as Alex Eala bows out of French Open against friend Iva Jovic 

    Birthday week magic fades as Alex Eala bows out of French Open against friend Iva Jovic 

    Just days after celebrating her 21st birthday in Paris surrounded by close friends on tour, Alex Eala found herself on the opposite side of one of them under the bright lights of Roland Garros.

     

    And in a cruel twist familiar to professional tennis, friendship had to give way to survival.

     

    Eala’s 2026 French Open campaign came to an early end on Tuesday night (Manila time) after falling to American teenager and former doubles partner Iva Jovic, 4-6, 2-6, in the opening round at Roland Garros.

     

    The loss marked another first-round exit for the Filipina star in Paris, but this latest defeat carried a far more personal backdrop.

     

    Only days earlier, Jovic had joined fellow players Eva Lys and Zeynep Sonmez in surprising Eala with a birthday celebration during practice week in France. The two young stars had also spent parts of the season sharing the same side of the court as doubles partners, building chemistry at tournaments such as Indian Wells and the ASB Classic.

     

    On Tuesday, however, familiarity became competition.

     

    Eala struggled early against the 17th-seeded American, quickly falling behind 1-5 in the opening set as Jovic dictated the pace on the clay surface. Still, the Filipina refused to disappear quietly.

     

    The world No. 37 mounted a spirited fightback to close the gap to 4-5, briefly threatening to completely change the momentum of the set. But Jovic weathered the push and never fully loosened her grip on the match afterward.

     

    From there, the 18-year-old American continued to show why she is considered one of the fastest-rising young stars in women’s tennis.

     

    Jovic consistently controlled the rallies and kept Eala from finding sustained rhythm throughout the one-hour and 11-minute encounter, eventually sealing a straight-sets victory to move into the second round against fellow American Emma Navarro.

     

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    For Eala, the defeat closed another chapter in what had been a demanding but developmental clay-court season.

     

    The Filipina finished her run on red clay with a 4-6 win-loss record across tournaments, highlighted by a breakthrough Round of 32 appearance at the Italian Open earlier this month.

     

     Despite the early exit in Paris, the campaign still reflected gradual growth on a surface that once exposed some of her biggest weaknesses.

     

    Eala will not leave Roland Garros just yet, though.

     

    She is still set to compete in doubles alongside Canadian teenage sensation Victoria Mboko, currently ranked No. 9 in the world. The partnership adds another intriguing layer to Eala’s growing circle of young stars around the tour — a generation rapidly reshaping women’s tennis.

     

    At the center of that youth movement stands Jovic herself.

     

    At only 18 years old, the American is currently the youngest player inside the WTA Top 50, ahead of fellow teenage standouts Mirra Andreeva and Mboko.

     

    Meanwhile, Eala continues searching for another breakthrough Grand Slam run after her Round of 64 appearance at the US Open remains her best finish in a major tournament so far.

     

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  • “I feel definitely more prepared than last year”: Alex Eala enters French Open with growing confidence

    “I feel definitely more prepared than last year”: Alex Eala enters French Open with growing confidence

    One year after walking into Roland Garros as a newcomer still learning the demands of clay-court tennis, Alex Eala returns to Paris carrying something far more valuable than experience points — belief.

     

    The 21-year-old Filipina heads into her second French Open main draw appearance convinced she is arriving as a more complete player, one better equipped for the grind of tennis’ most demanding surface.

     

    That mindset will be tested immediately when Eala opens her 2026 French Open campaign against American world No. 17 Iva Jovic on Tuesday (Manila time) — not just a seeded opponent, but also someone familiar from the doubles court.

     

    Yet for Eala, the bigger storyline lies in how much has changed in the past 12 months.

     

    Her Roland Garros debut last year ended in a tough three-set defeat to Emiliana Arango, a result that exposed both her promise and the steep learning curve of Grand Slam clay competition.

     

    Since then, however, Eala has spent a full season embracing the surface rather than merely adjusting to it.

     

    “I feel definitely prepared more than last year. I think I have improved a lot on this surface,” Eala said in a press conference.

     

    “Of course, I have such a long way to go but I think I’ve improved a lot in the past year as a player and it’s really helped me manage the challenges that come with the surface for me.”

     

    The numbers show gradual growth. Eala compiled a 4-5 record across five clay tournaments this season, highlighted by a breakthrough run to the Round of 32 at the Italian Open where she defeated Magdalena Frech and Wang Xinyu before pushing world No. 2 Elena Rybakina in a competitive straight-set loss.

     

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    Those results may not yet scream domination, but they reflect a player becoming increasingly comfortable navigating the longer rallies, movement demands, and tactical patience that clay rewards.

     

    Now, she faces another unique challenge in Jovic — someone she knows beyond scouting reports.

     

    The two have shared the court as doubles partners this season, building chemistry during their run to the ASB Classic semifinals and another appearance together at Indian Wells. That familiarity adds a different wrinkle to a Grand Slam opener where both players already understand each other’s tendencies.

     

    Still, Eala is embracing the occasion with a mindset free from heavy expectations.

     

    “I think I’m super excited for this week. We do the preparations to arrive at the Grand Slams well. So I’m feeling good. I’m happy. And nothing on the line, nothing to lose,” she said.

     

    For Eala, her second French Open is no longer about simply making the main draw. It is about measuring how far she has come — and whether the player who once struggled to navigate clay can now begin making noise on one of tennis’ biggest stages.

     

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  • Patrick Gardner thrown into the fire as Meralco gambles on mid-series import change 

    Patrick Gardner thrown into the fire as Meralco gambles on mid-series import change 

    Meralco is betting that a fresh face can change the course of its season.

     

    With their PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinal campaign suddenly hanging by a thread, the Bolts made the stunning decision to part ways with import Marvin Jones and bring in Patrick Gardner ahead of the pivotal Game 4 clash against TNT Tropang 5G on Wednesday.

     

    It was a move few expected — especially after Jones had just delivered one of his best performances of the conference.

     

    But after absorbing a painful 77-75 loss in Game 3 to fall behind 2-1 in the series, Meralco’s front office clearly decided that staying the course was no longer enough. The franchise instead chose urgency, bringing in Gardner in hopes of jolting the team back to life before the series slips away completely.

     

    Now, the 26-year-old American-Egyptian big man walks straight into one of the most pressure-packed situations imaginable.

     

    There will be no adjustment period. No slow buildup. No luxury of easing into the system.

     

    From the moment he steps on the floor, Gardner is expected to help rescue a Meralco side desperately searching for answers against a TNT squad that has slowly seized momentum in the semifinals.

     

    Gardner enters the PBA carrying a résumé built across different levels of basketball. Although he went undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft, he earned opportunities in the NBA G League with the Long Island Nets and Osceola Magic before taking his talents overseas to Japan’s B.League with the Fukushima Firebonds.

     

    He also owns international experience after representing Egypt in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, where he averaged 8.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game against elite competition.

     

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    Still, replacing Jones will not be easy.

     

    Throughout the semifinals, Jones had been one of Meralco’s most reliable anchors, averaging 20 points, 14 rebounds, and three assists while carrying much of the Bolts’ interior workload on both ends of the floor.

     

    In what now appears to be his farewell game with the franchise, Jones delivered a monster 22-point, 25-rebound effort in Game 3. But despite his dominance on the glass, Meralco still walked away empty-handed after TNT escaped with a narrow victory behind Roger Pogoy’s late-game heroics.

     

    That loss may have ultimately convinced the Bolts that they needed a different kind of presence moving forward.

     

    Gardner now inherits the responsibility of helping Meralco extend its season against a TNT side that continues to gain confidence despite dealing with its own import issues following Bol Bol’s Achilles injury.

     

    For Meralco, the gamble is simple: if the series is already slipping away, they might as well take a swing big enough to change everything. 

     

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  • Smaller pool, bigger names: PVL Draft class still loaded with star power 

    Smaller pool, bigger names: PVL Draft class still loaded with star power 

    The 2026 PVL Rookie Draft may be the smallest in the league’s young history, but it hardly feels lacking in intrigue.

     

    Only 41 players made the final draft list released ahead of the June 3 selection day, a noticeable drop from previous years. But while the numbers dipped, the quality at the top of the class remained impossible to ignore.

     

    At the center of it all stands Alyssa Solomon — the towering National University opposite spiker widely expected to become the top overall pick after finally deciding to bring her game home following a season in Japan’s SV.League with Osaka Marvelous.

     

    Solomon’s arrival instantly gives this year’s draft its marquee attraction. The 6-foot-1 hitter spent the past year sharpening her game overseas, helping Osaka Marvelous reach the finals while producing 147 points across 30 matches against elite international competition.

     

    And yet, even beyond Solomon, this year’s class offers plenty of proven winners, decorated collegiate stars, and intriguing long-term prospects.

     

    National University continues to leave a massive imprint on the local volleyball landscape, with two-time UAAP Best Setter Lams Lamina also entering the draft after helping sustain the Lady Bulldogs’ dynasty run in recent years.

     

    University of the Philippines star Nina Ytang likewise headlines the frontcourt talent pool after carving out a historic collegiate career as the first four-time UAAP Best Middle Blocker. Her dominance at the net made her one of the most feared middle blockers of her generation and now positions her as one of the most coveted names available.

     

    Defense, meanwhile, gets its own headline act through UST libero Detdet Pepito, whose floor coverage and consistency made her one of the most reliable back-row anchors in the collegiate ranks.

     

    Several established scorers are also making the leap to the pros.

     

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    Former UST standouts Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula headline the wing spiker group together with UP’s Irah Jaboneta, Joan Monares, Heart Magsombol, and Jum Gayo. Far Eastern University sends Tin Ubaldo, Ann Asis, and Florize Papa into the draft, while La Salle adds Ela Raagas, Michelle Beterina, and Sophia Sindayen to the mix.

     

    The talent pool stretches beyond the UAAP as well.

     

    Letran’s Lara Mae Silva, Natalie Estreller, and Julienne Castro banner the NCAA hopefuls alongside San Sebastian’s Katherine Santos, Christina Marasigan, and Kristine Dionisio. Other collegiate programs such as JRU, Lyceum, Mapua, San Beda, and Perpetual also have representatives hoping to earn professional opportunities.

     

    One of the more intriguing names in the draft is Fil-foreign hitter Jade Fuentes, who previously suited up for La Salle before continuing her career with Cal State Dominguez Hills in the United States. Fuentes recently expressed excitement about returning to Philippine volleyball and embracing what she called the country’s unmatched competitive atmosphere.

     

    Provincial standouts Kirsty Destajo of UNC-Sorsogon and Angel Galinato of the University of San Carlos also cracked the final list, further highlighting the expanding reach of the PVL talent search beyond Metro Manila’s traditional power schools.

     

    Now, despite having fewer applicants than previous years, the draft still feels capable of reshaping several franchises.

     

    Because while the class may be smaller, the names attached to it carry expectations of becoming the league’s next wave of stars.

     

     

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  • Jade Fuentes returns to PH chasing second shot through PVL Draft 

    Jade Fuentes returns to PH chasing second shot through PVL Draft 

    For Jade Fuentes, the 2026 PVL Draft is more than just a professional opportunity.

     

    It’s a return to the place where a once-promising Philippine volleyball journey was unexpectedly put on pause.

     

    Years after quietly leaving the country during the pandemic, the Filipino-American outside hitter is back — this time hoping to finally write the chapter she once never got to finish.

     

    Before building her game in the United States with California State University Dominguez Hills in NCAA Division II play, Fuentes was already familiar with the local volleyball scene. She previously suited up for the powerhouse De La Salle University Lady Spikers program from 2020 to 2022, serving as a reserve during UAAP Season 84 and later seeing action in the Shakey’s Super League.

     

    But just as her Philippine volleyball journey was beginning to take shape, COVID changed everything.

     

    “When I first played in the Philippines, it was for DLSU for 2020 to 2022. So I was a reserve for [UAAP] Season 84 and then I played in the Shakey’s [Super] League. And because of COVID, I wanted to go home and be with my family,” Fuentes explained during a pre-draft gathering for aspirants under Hustle & Groove management.

     

    “But I always knew that I would come back for the draft because I loved the environment here in the Philippines. And so I trained and played at Cal State Dominguez Hills and that was CCAA Division II. And I’m just super excited to be back here.”

     

    Now, Fuentes returns to the Philippines carrying not only improved skills from her years overseas, but also a stronger sense of purpose.

     

    The 2026 PVL Draft represents a full-circle opportunity for the Fil-Am hitter, whose family traces its roots to Antipolo City. After completing her degree in psychology as a Summa Cum Laude graduate in the United States, Fuentes decided it was finally time to pursue the professional dream she once postponed.

     

    And beyond the volleyball itself, it was the culture surrounding the sport in the Philippines that kept pulling her back.

     

    “I’m super excited to be in the competitive spirit that the Philippines has. And the amazing fans and the environment,” she shared.

     

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    Her return also comes with a sense of familiarity. Several of her former teammates have already become established names in Philippine volleyball, and reconnecting with them has only strengthened the feeling that she’s exactly where she’s supposed to be.

     

    “A hundred percent [it’s a full circle moment]. It’s especially been super nice seeing all my old teammates like ate Thea [Gagate], ate Fifi [Sharma], Sophia [Sindayen], who’s also going to be doing the draft with me,” Fuentes said.

     

    “It’s just been super nice being able to have a full circle moment where I’m able to see all my old teammates and just hang out with them and be able to play volleyball with them again.”

     

    Still, despite the excitement surrounding her return, Fuentes remains grounded entering a draft class loaded with high-profile talent and experienced collegiate stars.

     

    Rather than making bold promises, the former DLSU reserve simply wants teams to see the intangibles she believes separate her from the rest of the field.

     

    “I want to show that I’m a fierce competitor and that I have leadership skills that I can bring on to whatever team that I go on. And I also just want to make an impact and help better my team in whatever way possible,” Fuentes said.

     

    This time around, though, Fuentes isn’t arriving in Philippine volleyball as someone trying to find her footing.

     

    She’s returning as someone determined to finish what she started.

     

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