Almost five years after the infamous incident involving BaliPure import Danijela Djakovic, libero Jewelle Bermillo is preparing to make her comeback to the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) through the inaugural Rookie Draft.
Bermillo said that she is carrying with her the lessons that she learned from the unfortunate event, where she was struck by the Montenegrin reinforcement on the nape following a digging miscommunication.
“Sobrang laki po ng impact talaga. Syempre po, nandon na po yung… nung una po kasi nakaka-shock po siya kung ano yung nangyari kasi first time po siya nangyari, so ang laki pong adjustment,” she said during the second day of the Draft Combine.
The former San Sebastian defensive ace bared that the incident helped her work on her on-court communication and awareness, qualities she believes will help her land a roster spot in the upcoming PVL Draft.
“Ang dinala ko rin po don is syempre maging aggressive po ako, mas maging aware po ako kung sinong kasama ko sa loob [ng court] and number one po is communication. Kasi, yun talaga yung nawala. Lack of communication po kami kaya nangyari ‘yun before,” said Bermillo.
Incidentally, if selected, Bermillo will make her return to the flourishing professional league in the Reinforced Conference.
Aside from her improved skills, the former Biñan already boasts PVL experience after playing for the Water Defenders in the 2019 season. There, she played under veteran coach Romel Abella.
“Siyempre po nagkaroon na ako ng experience way back [nung] 2019 po ng PVL All-Filipino and Reinforced po,” she said.
“Siyempre ngayon po, lahat po kasi kahit mga rookie ang gagaling talaga eh. So wala po akong masasabi, kahit po mga rookie kami, parang sa pro na rin po talaga yung skills nila, very pang-pro level na po talaga.”
Her experience playing for multi-titled tactician Roger Gorayeb, who now coaches Capital1, is also something that Bermillo believes will help her transition well into the professional ranks.
Bermillo shared that she had the chance to talk with her former mentor prior to the draft and vowed to follow his advice as she begins another chapter in her career.
“Siyempre po yung experience ko po kay Coach Roger [Gorayeb] nung collegiate. Ngayon po ang madadala ko po ngayon sa pro lahat po ng natutunan ko po kay coach Roger, kung ano po yung natutunan ko sa kanya. And sana po mas ma-improve pa po ‘yun para mas makatulong po ako sa team na mapupuntahan ko,” said Bermillo.
“Sabi lang po ni coach ilabas ko lang po kung ano yung skills na natutunan ko po sa kanya. And siyempre po, yun po talaga kung makuha ‘man ako o hindi, ‘wag raw akong mahiya. Ilabas ko lang po kung sino talaga ako at kung ano ‘yung skills na meron ako.”
