By Angel Joyce C. Basa

After concluding the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 in the Final Four, Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws team captain Tin Ubaldo sent a parting message to fellow seniors Jean Asis, Ann Monares, and Chenie Tagaod as they take on the professional path in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).

“I'm very grateful na pinili nila 'yung FEU. Sobrang happy ko for them kasi unti-unti nilang naaabot 'yung dream nila. Last is galingan lang nila kasi alam kong kayang-kaya naman nila sumabay sa mga veterans (I’m very grateful that they chose FEU. I’m very happy for them because they are slowly achieving their dream. Last is for them to do well because I know that they can keep up with the veterans),” Ubaldo shared in an online interview with FEU Advocate.

The three Lady Tamaraws were all successfully drafted in the recently held 2025 PVL Rookie Draft last Sunday, June 8.

During the first round of the draft, middle blocker Jean Asis stood out as the second overall pick which put her in the Galeries Tower Highrisers lineup.

In an interview with Tiebreaker Times, Asis shared her thoughts on being one of the top picks of the draft among 57 applicants.

“Sobrang saya po, siyempre, parang ang dami namin pero ayun nga, ako ‘yung nabigyan ng chance na [maging] second pick. So, ayun, sobrang thankful [ko] sa coaches ng Galeries po na pinagkatiwalaan po nila ako sa position na ‘to (I’m very happy, of course, there are so many of us, but I was given the chance to become the second pick. So, I’m very thankful to the coaches of Galeries that they entrusted me with this position),” she stated.

Meanwhile, wing spiker Tagaod secured a spot with the Akari Chargers as the 10th overall pick, joining FEU head coach Tina Salak who will act as the club’s new head tactician.

In the second round, libero Monares was selected by the Farm Fresh Foxies as the 16th overall pick.

After a strong Tamaraw showing, the PVL Draft Class of 2025 produced 29 rookies out of the 57 hopeful draftees announced last June 7 with Michaela Belen of National University securing the first overall pick in the draft.

One last ride for more

Despite her fellow seniors’ decision to take on the professional path, team captain Ubaldo teased one more year of playing for the green-and-gold squad through an Instagram post caption.

The setter-captain explained that the decision to use her final playing year eligibility came from reasons on and off the court.

“Una [ay] 'yung [pag-aaral]. Gusto ko muna tapusin 'yung [academics] ko para pagdating ko sa pro, 100-percent work [and] volleyball na lang 'yung iisipin ko. Next is medyo hindi pa ako fulfilled sa nagawa ko sa team namin (First is for studies. I want to finish my academics so that when I turn pro, all I will think of is 100-percent work and volleyball. Next is that I am still not fulfilled with what I have done for my team),” she said.

Ubaldo added that her goal is to bring the team back to the finals after back-to-back Final Four finishes in the past two seasons in the UAAP.

With Ubaldo continuing her captainship, the Lady Tamaraws are still backed with promising young guns like setter Karyll Miranda, spikers Gerz Petallo, Alyzza Devosora, Jaz Ellarina, libero Margarett Encarnacion, and many more as they prepare for upcoming preseason tourneys.

(Photos by Krystoffer Zyanel Bermudez and Aleena Louise Abad/FEU Advocate; Photos courtesy of Daniel Jacob/FEU Athletics)