Alyssa Solomon’s decision to join the 2024 Korean V-League (KOVO) Asian Quota Draft has raised questions, as the draft is scheduled for April 11 — right in the middle of her ongoing UAAP campaign with National University, which runs until May.
The 6-foot-2 opposite hitter is testing the waters in the KOVO draft alongside professional players Majoy Baron of PLDT (PVL), Mars Alba of Choco Mucho (PVL), and Maddie Madayag of Kurobe (Japan V.League).
The draft will be conducted remotely on April 11 at the Mayfield Hotel in Seoul.
Despite this, NU head coach Sherwin Meneses assured that Solomon’s priority remains with the Lady Bulldogs, regardless of the draft outcome.
“Yes, naka-focus naman sa UAAP si Alyssa. So opportunity lang naman ‘yun na makapaglaro sa ibang bansa. Yung conflict no’n, NU talaga ang priority,” Meneses told Tiebreaker Times before NU’s match against the UP Fighting Maroons.
“Maglalaro siya (for NU) kasi hindi naman… I think yung tryout yata is by videos lang, so ‘yun, focus siya sa UAAP talaga,” he added.
Meneses, in his first season at the helm of NU’s women’s volleyball team, expressed full confidence in Solomon’s ability to take her talents to the international stage.
A two-time UAAP Best Opposite Spiker, Solomon also earned the Finals MVP award in Season 86, solidifying her status as one of the league’s top performers.
“Siyempre, opportunity laging nandiyan eh, so grab lang nang grab. I think ready na naman talaga siya diyan sa international level na ‘yan,” said Meneses, a seven-time PVL champion coach with Creamline.
At just 23 years old, Solomon still has plenty of room to grow, and Meneses believes her potential is limitless.
“Marami pa naman siyang puwedeng ma-improve kasi bata pa naman si Alyssa. Mag-iimprove at mag-iimprove pa ‘yan.”
