Angela Jackson isn’t following the traditional path to professional volleyball — and that’s exactly the point.
At just 20 years old, and with no collegiate experience to her name, the former University of the Philippines Integrated School standout is taking a leap of faith by entering the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Rookie Draft.
“Ang mentor ko po kasi, plano po talaga namin na I would go straight to pro after high school. By the time that I graduated high school po, PVL introduced the age limit ng 21 years old. So ngayon po, and with the draft po, I feel like it’s easier, parang the process po, it’s more streamlined,” Jackson shared.
Jackson had originally planned to turn pro straight out of high school, but the PVL’s 21-year-old minimum age rule delayed her ambitions.
Now just weeks away from eligibility, she’s ready to chase her dream.
(C) PVL Images
“So, I took it as ano na po, to go na since mag-21 naman na rin po. Siguro po pinaka-pros, I feel like it’s exposure siyempre po. If you are able to have the chance na ma-lineup, I don’t feel like, siyempre po, hindi din naman po always sure yun na you’ll get the exposure,” she added.
As the youngest among the 60-player draft class, Jackson admits the odds may not be in her favor. But the 5-foot-9 opposite spiker remains undeterred, embracing the challenge of going up against older and more seasoned athletes.
“I take it po na maybe I have more leeway since I’m the youngest, so hindi ko rin po masyadong pinipressure yung sarili ko. But, oo po, siyempre, the anxiety din po since they’re all older than me. I expect myself na makipagsabayan rin po, even though I’m the youngest,” said Jackson.
Instead of seeing her age as a limitation, she believes it gives her a unique edge — a youthful spark she hopes teams will find valuable.
“I can offer po na I’m very confident po in terms of my blocking skills. Hardworking din naman po ako, so, I’ll be working hard po to reach whatever expectation that they want to impose on me. And I’ll work very very hard to reach that certain level that the PVL sets.”
#WATCH: UPIS product and UST pool member Angela Jackson embraces being the youngest in the #PVLDraft class 🏐
📹 @jonashdcd /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason87 pic.twitter.com/aG9UkZTrd5
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) May 30, 2025
