By: Ernest Tuazon
Former Ateneo team captain Roma Mae Doromal believes that the leadership experience she gained during her three-year UAAP stint with the Blue Eagles sets her apart from the other 47 hopefuls in the inaugural PVL Draft.
Doromal, who led Ateneo to a 5-9 win-loss record in Season 86 as its team captain, will also offer the leadership skills she gained under the tutelage of Brazilian head coach Sergio Veloso.
“I feel like other than sa skills na naipon ko, siguro ‘yung leadership talaga inside the court… Hinelp kasi ako ni Coach Sergio to become a leader talaga. So ‘yun talaga ‘yung for sure na madadala ko [sa PVL],” Doromal said on the last day of the PVL Draft Combine on Wednesday at the Gameville Ballpark in Sheridan, Mandaluyong.
The 23-year-old libero also added that one of her assets that PVL clubs should not overlook is the technical skills she learned during her time under Veloso and with the Blue Eagles.
In Season 86, Doromal ranked fourth in digging with 3.58 per set, and sixth in receptions with a 42.04-percent efficiency rate.
(C) PVL Images
“Yung mga skills din na tinuro [ni Coach Sergio] in terms sa technicalities, ‘yun talaga ‘yung mahhelp ko. Hopefully maturuan ko rin ‘yung iba kong teammates, even with ‘yung mga skills na bago na hindi nila alam,” she said.
“Very open talaga ako [to improve] with kung sino man ‘yung team na sasalihan ko, very open ako with a lot of inputs so exciting,”
Doromal also admitted that her desire to chase that elusive championship dream is what prompted her to sign up for the first-ever PVL Draft.
Doromal, who ultimately decided to go for one last run with the Blue Eagles after completing her undergraduate degree in Communication last year, only made the UAAP semifinals once in Season 84 during her three-year collegiate career.
“Yun talaga ‘yung pinanghahawakan ko rin this time hindi pa ako nakaka-championship. Hopefully talaga sa PVL magawaan ko siya ng paraan and yun, magkaroon ng championship,” she said.
