Riza Nogales is grateful to ZUS Coffee for picking her in the PVL draft despite her recent injury

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.

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, while the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles took a leap of faith by selecting University of the East Lady Warriors standout Riza Nogales as the 25th overall pick.

It was a calculated risk for the Thunderbelles’ management to pick Nogales, considering that the middle blocker had suffered a partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in her right knee prior to the start of the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.

EXTRA SHOT OF NOGALES

The wait is over as Riza Nogales of UE joins the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles as the 25th overall pick in the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft!#PVLDraft2025 #PVL2025 #TheHeartOfVolleybal pic.twitter.com/1G3FFnE3yz

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) June 8, 2025

Despite her draft position, Nogales expressed gratitude for being selected by ZUS Coffee and vowed to do everything in her power to repay the faith shown by the Thunderbelles.

“I’m very happy and grateful—and at the same time, excited—even though I was picked in the third round. I understand, since I do have an injury. But I’m looking forward to learning from the veterans and growing more with the team,” Nogales said during a media interaction.

Despite suffering a partial ACL tear in her right knee, Nogales chose to play through the pain and represent her team rather than sit on the sidelines. Her grit and resilience, demonstrated by completing the UAAP season while injured, were among the traits that impressed the ZUS Coffee management.

“Partial ACL tear, right knee. That happened even before the UAAP season started. Actually, this just-concluded season, I played even with my injury. But I’m thankful that I managed to push through, and it didn’t worsen or develop into anything more serious. I got through the season healthy. I actually finished it all good, so I’m hoping I can play in the coming PVL season since I’ve been cleared to play. Everything’s okay. I’m looking forward to playing with the other players,” she added.

In addition to Nogales, the Thunderbelles also drafted Ateneo de Manila University standout AC Miner as the fifth overall pick, De La Salle-College of St. Benilde’s Mycah Go as the 17th overall pick, and Mary Angela Jackson in the fourth round.

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