Lorraine Pecaña will immediately bolster Choco Mucho’s lineup for the 2024 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference.
Pecaña was chosen 11th overall by the Flying Titans in the inaugural PVL Draft held on Monday at Novotel in Quezon City.
Standing at 5 feet 10 inches, Pecaña was one of the tallest draft applicants among the 47 who submitted their names. She matched the height of the second overall pick, Leila Cruz, who joins Capital1.
Only taller than them is the top overall selection, Thea Gagate, now with ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles.
“Ano po sobrang kinakabahan ako tapos sobrang happy ko rin po sa tiwalang binigay sa akin ng Choco Mucho. Pinapangako ko sa kanila na hindi ko po yun sasayangin,” said a stunned Pecaña moments after getting drafted.
“Actually di ko po ine-expect yung first round, na ako yung nasa first choice nila.”
Choco Mucho needs to fill the middle blocker position with Cherry Nunag expected to miss the Reinforced Conference due to Alas Pilipinas duties.
Aduke Ogunsanya is also unavailable as she continues her rehabilitation after tearing her ACL back in March.
Pecaña will join Maddie Madayag and Maika Ortiz in the middle blocker rotation under head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
“Actually, sila po yung mga tinitingala ko na middle, sila yung iniidilo ko since nung nag-start ako ng volleyball. Sila na po yung pinapangarap ko na maka-team o makalaban yun na po yung mga middle na yun,” said Pecaña.
A product of Arellano University, Pecaña was the first player drafted from the NCAA after the first 10 selections were dominated by De La Salle University and Adamson University.
The only other players drafted from the NCAA were Razel Aldea of Perpetual Help; Donnalyn Paralejas and Dodee Batindaan, also from Arellano.
She is eager to learn from Alinsunurin, the coach who turned around the Flying Titans’ fortunes and led them to back-to-back Finals appearances.
“Gusto ko po matutunan kay coach Dante kung paano niya po binibigyan ng chance yung mga players niya and kung paano po siya magtiwala sa mga players,” she said.
