Zen Perolino thanks Enderun coach Dong Dela Cruz for her rise to the PVL after PLDT draft selection

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 PLDT High Speed Hitters made a surprising decision by selecting Enderun College standout Zen Perolino as the 21st overall pick.

A relative unknown in volleyball circles, Perolino credited Enderun College head coach Dong Dela Cruz for helping her become the player she is today, saying she wouldn’t have made it to the PVL without his support and guidance.

“One of the reasons why we overthink a lot is because we are not part of the UAAP. However, we believe in the system that our coach at Enderun, Coach Dong Dela Cruz, has implemented,” Perolino said in a media interaction. “He’s been a really great coach.”

“The system we have is also the same system used by the National University men’s team and the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, which has been proven and tested. So beyond the fear, we also have strong faith in ourselves, in God, and in the training we’ve undergone with the Enderun coaches,” she added.

Another from Enderun, Zen Perolino makes it to the pros. #PVLDraft2025 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/YD0jKsnn2P

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) June 9, 2025

In addition to his role as head coach of the Lady Titans, Dela Cruz also serves as assistant coach under Dante Alinsunurin for the five-time defending champion National University men’s volleyball team in the UAAP.

A towering middle blocker, Perolino is eager to showcase her full talent and potential at PLDT. She will have to be at her best, as she joins a High Speed Hitters squad that already features top middle blockers Majoy Baron, Mika Reyes, and Dell Palomata.

“Honestly, one thing I can offer PLDT is my eagerness to learn and to truly unlock more of my potential,” she said. “Like I said earlier, I know the middle blockers at PLDT are veterans. Ever since high school, they’ve been the players I’ve looked up to the most. Now that I will hopefully get to play with them, I want to learn more and match the level of performance they give to PLDT.”

In addition to Perolino, the High Speed Hitters also drafted De La Salle University standout Alleiah Malaluan as the ninth overall pick.

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