Ateneo’s Lyann de Guzman admits she didn’t expect to be a Top 4 pick in the PVL Rookie Draft

The second Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Rookie Draft was held on Sunday, June 8, at the Novotel Manila hotel in Quezon City, amid great fanfare and high expectations for the 60 draft applicants.

While University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) standout Bella Belen was selected as the first overall pick by the Capital1 Solar Spikers in an expected move, the Nxled Chameleons sprang a surprise by selecting former Ateneo de Manila University star Lyann de Guzman as their first pick and fourth overall in the draft.

De Guzman, who chose to forego her final year in the UAAP to turn professional, revealed that she was surprised to be called as the fourth pick but was extremely happy to be given the opportunity by Nxled.

“Syempre, I’m very happy kasi hindi ko rin naman in-expect na top four makakapasok ako. I’m really excited to play with the team since, yun nga, mostly half of the team naging teammates ko na,” De Guzman told the media.

The rookie is excited to play under the tutelage of Italian coach Ettore Guidetti at Nxled, having had experience playing under foreign coaches in the past. Notably, De Guzman played under Brazilian tactician Sergio Veloso, who was the head coach of Ateneo during her collegiate career.

The Nxled Chameleons secure Lyann De Guzman as the no. 4 overall pick at the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft Night.#PVL2025 #PVLDraft2025 #TheHeartofVolleyball pic.twitter.com/LtC6jgVSX0

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) June 8, 2025

“Syempre, very honored ako na maging coach ko sila Coach Ettore, sila Coach Sergio, kasi very different talaga siya—yung mga systems nila, how they coach. For me, it’s another opportunity na ma-improve pa yung skills ko,” she added.

Nxled struggled in the recently concluded PVL All-Filipino Conference, finishing at the bottom of the standings with a 1-10 win-loss record. Despite the disappointing finish, the young talent believes that the Chameleons are a team on the rise.

“Actually, I can see a lot of improvements din sa team na ito. Syempre, bago rin yung team, mga ilang years pa lang sila. Definitely excited na matutunan yung bagong system and, of course, maibigay ko rin yung anong natutunan ko kay Coach Sergio,” De Guzman concluded.

De Guzman is expected to have no problem gelling with the team, as she will reunite with former Ateneo teammates Jaja Maraguinot and Jaycel Delos Reyes, and play alongside former opponents including Lucille Almonte, Lycha Ebon, and Krich Macaslang.

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