As expected, Aleona Denise “Dindin” Santiago of National University gets selected first overall by Petron at the 2014 Philippine SuperLiga draft held on April 2 at the NBA Café at SM Aura in Taguig City. Following Santiago are De La Salle-Manila team captain Abigail Maraño, who went to Air Asia, and Iari Yongco of De La Salle-Dasmarinas, who was picked by RC Cola.
The 6-2 Santiago led NU to two straight UAAP women’s volleyball semifinals appearances. Now, she will take her skills to the Blaze Spikers, a team that finished third at the Invitational and fifth at the Grand Prix.
“Thankful (ako) na maraming naniniwala sa akin,” said the elder of two Santiago siblings who played for the Sampaloc-based university.
Marano reunites in Air Asia with De La Salle Lady Spikers coach Ramil de Jesus and the core of the squad that won three straight UAAP championships from 2011-2013. They form the newest squad in the women’s division of the league.
“Masaya kasi first (round) pick ka, so feeling ko yung worth ko, ‘Wow, coach, thank you,’” the AB Philippine Mass Media graduate shared. “Ito yung chance ko na makalaro with former Lady Spikers. Yung family and bonding relationship, ico-continue lang namin.”
Yongco, meanwhile, is a product of De La Salle-Dasmarinas’ successful volleyball program. She has played for the national team, competing in the qualifiers of the FIVB Women’s World Championship.
“Nagulat nga ako kasi ang dami-daming magagaling na spikers tapos napunta ako sa RC Cola (in the first round),” the unassuming Patriot shared. “Noong nalaman kong may SuperLiga, nagpa-kondisyon ako kasi gustong-gusto ko maglaro. Etong sa first time ko, gusto ko sana maganda maipakita ko, na deserved ako sa RC Cola mapunta.”
Rounding out the first round are Janine Marciano of San Beda, which was taken by Cagayan Valley; Jamanea Ferrer of Ateneo, chosen by PLDT MyDSL; Norie Jane Diaz of Perpetual Help, who was nabbed by Cignal HD; and Christine Agno, who went to two-time PSL champion Generika-Army.
In the second round, Petron grabbed Bulldog Carmina Aganon, Air Asia plucked Jeushl Wensh Tiu, the Raiders went for Jill Gustillo, the Rising Suns picked Charlene Gillego, PLDT selected Rysabelle Devandera, Cignal chose Michiko Castaneda, and Generika-Army took Joyce Antonette Palad.
The rest of the picks are the following: Mayette Zapanta (Petron), May Macatuno (Air Asia), and Toni Faye Tan (RC Cola) in the third round; Arianna Angustia (Air Asia) and Southlyn Ramos (RC Cola) in the fourth round. (JP ABCEDE)
