MONTALBAN, RIZAL — Chery Tiggo may have landed a hidden gem in the third round of the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Rookie Draft.
Renee Peñafiel, selected 26th overall, has delivered back-to-back impressive performances for the Crossovers in their PVL On Tour campaign at the Ynares Center here.
The 22-year-old Sports Science graduate from the University of Santo Tomas made an immediate impact in her debut. She tallied 11 points and five excellent receptions to help Chery Tiggo overcome Capital1 in four sets, 20-25, 25-23, 25-12, 28-26, last Saturday.
She followed it up the next day with another standout performance, this time posting 12 points and eight excellent receptions as Chery Tiggo outlasted Akari in a five-set thriller, 24-26, 25-19, 25-16, 23-25, 15-10.
For Peñafiel, it’s all about making the most of a long-awaited opportunity — especially after facing a series of challenges during her collegiate career.
“Since ngayon lang po ulit ako nakalaro, gutom po talaga ako sa laro,” shared Peñafiel after the win over Akari.
“Tinake ko lang po talaga yung opportunity na makalaro rin sa pro. To be honest po, sobrang kinulang ako nu’ng college days. Dito po ako babawi.”
Originally set to make her debut for the UST Golden Tigresses in UAAP Season 84, Peñafiel was relegated to a COVID-reserve role during the bubble tournament.
In Seasons 85 and 86, she cracked the final lineup but saw limited playing time with star outside hitters like Eya Laure and Milena Alessandrini starting in Season 85, followed by Jonna Perdido and Angge Poyos in Season 86. Then, in Season 87, she failed to make the roster entirely.
(C) PVL Images
Despite these setbacks, Peñafiel has remained undeterred, and her first two professional games are already proving her worth — two straight double-digit scoring outings in high-pressure matches.
Chery Tiggo head coach Norman Miguel saw that potential from the start, which is why the Crossovers picked her in the third round.
“Siyempre yung game yesterday, saka yung game kahapon, talagang… Alam mo yun, spectacular naman talaga yung pinakita ni Renee,” said Miguel.
“Although nung nagsimula naman talaga siya sa training namin after noong draft, ako personally, nakita ko talaga kung ano talaga yung maico-contribute niya. Gusto ko talaga ma-take advantage yun eh, yung skills niya, especially bata pa siya,” he continued.
“May character kasi tong batang ‘to, kaya yun yung nakita kong character na palaban ba. Makakadagdag talaga sa mga players.”
Peñafiel’s breakout moment may have taken time to come, but now that she’s here, she’s making sure to make every moment on the taraflex count.
