Representing the University of the Philippines in the highly competitive eight-team field of the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament is no walk in the park.
It demands immense patience and unwavering resilience to endure constant rebuilding phases and five consecutive head coaching changes in recent years.
For former Fighting Maroons team captain Joan Monares, those character-building years in Diliman forged a mental resilience that no single setback can easily shatter — not even missing out on Wednesday night’s 2026 Premier Volleyball League Draft.
“If yung goal mo is to gain more experience, wala ka talagang talo. For UP, I am just really grateful and thankful that I got to experience everything. UP made me really strong, patient, and very resilient,” Monares told Tiebreaker Times.
“I know there’s still hope for all of us, for all of us na hindi na-draft tonight.”
Monares watched as 11 out of 38 hopefuls were called to the stage at Novotel Manila in Cubao without hearing her name. And while it could be seen as a setback in her professional volleyball journey, she is taking it in stride.
And after turning a combined seven-win campaign across Seasons 84 to 86 into near Final Four breakthroughs in Season 87 (sixth place, 6-8) and Season 88 (sixth place, 5-9), Monares knows she has weathered tougher battles — and that missing out on draft night is just another hurdle she is willing to clear.
“I feel like UP made me really strong to a point, na I can handle everything. Kung ano man mangyari sa akin, kung saan man mapunta, or whatever challenges it may be, I am just really grateful na I get to have this chance, and I am not closing any doors. I am really open to any opportunities — may it be volleyball or outside that,” the pride of Bacolod shared.
While most aspirants dedicated their time to preparing for the Draft Combine and attending private workout sessions with PVL teams, Monares had her attention divided.
Beyond consistently rehabbing a nagging back injury that kept her sidelined for the majority of Season 88, the 24-year-old outside hitter also focused on completing her thesis — her final requirement before officially graduating from UP.
(C) PVL Images
Now that her academic responsibilities are complete, Monares enters a stacked free agency pool with a clear mind and fresh perspective, ready to offer whatever it takes to achieve her long-standing dream of playing in the PVL.
“I think as a free agent, it does not matter if you get drafted tonight or mag-free agent ka. I think hindi ‘yon yung magde-define sa kanila [na] if na-draft ka sa event or not. There is still hope and many chances to get to do kasi pwede ka ring mag-tryout and explore teams,” Monares said.
“For me, lang kasi I was not able to train as much as other teams kasi mas nag-focus ako sa academics ko kasi I am graduating. I am just looking at the brighter side na after this draft, I have more time to try out and play with teams, kasi I am finished with school,” she furthered.
Despite an uncertain future, Monares expressed genuine happiness for her peers who have finally begun their rookie journeys in the PVL — including one who successfully made the leap.
Her younger sister Ann just completed her first pro season after being selected 16th overall in the second round of the 2025 Draft by Farm Fresh, while former UP teammate Irah Jaboneta was scooped up by Nxled as the fifth overall pick this year.
“I am just really proud of them kasi they get to play — that’s their dream, and that’s their passion. I support them no matter what.”
At the end of the day, Monares continues to bet on herself. After five years of representing the Fighting Maroons, she knows the grit she developed will carry her far, whether on or off the Taraflex court.
“For me naman, I am not really closing all doors, may it be in volleyball or outside that. Just volleyball is a really big part of my life. I am just shooting my shot na makakalaro pa ba ako for PVL,” she said.
“I am just grateful.”
