Philippine volleyball has come a long way, climbing to heights that some might even compare to basketball—long considered the country's top sport. Collegiate tournaments have played a huge role in this rise, producing some of the most decorated and beloved volleyball stars to become the modern-day faces of the sport.
It wasn't until 2021 that the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) officially became the country's one and only professional volleyball league, finally standing alongside its longtime basketball counterpart, the PBA. But even before that, the PVL had already been a stage for University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) volleyball standouts since it started in 2017. Many of them have continued to shine—and they're still making waves today.
All eight UAAP schools take pride in their homegrown stars, who continue to represent their college colors with the same passion and dedication on Philippine volleyball’s biggest stage. Ateneo de Manila University, University of the Philippines, De La Salle University, University of Sto. Tomas, Adamson University, National University, Far Eastern University, and University of the East have all produced talents who remain at the forefront of the game.
Check out some of the brightest superstars and fan-favorite aces who made their marks in the collegiate ranks before becoming household names in the PVL:
The Standout PVL Players From Each UAAP School
Jema Galanza from Adamson University
Currently plays for: Creamline Cool Smashers
One of the sport's most well-loved personalities, Jema Galanza, first spread her wings as a Lady Falcon. Galanza's time in San Marcelino became an all-important stepping stone to an illustrious sporting resume that’s almost second to none.
To name a few of her career milestones, the 27-year-old spiker has an MVP, Finals MVP, and five best outside hitter nods since joining the first-ever Creamline team in 2017. It would then lead to 10 PVL championships capped by Philippine volleyball's first-ever Grand Slam in the recently concluded 2024 season. She'd find her way playing for flag and country multiple times, not only as part of the current crop of Alas Pilipinas but even when Creamline became the de facto national team as Rebisco Philippines in 2021.
Easily one of the sport's most recognizable faces today, volleyball fans have more than a few reasons to be drawn to such a vibrant character and dynamic player like Jema.
Honorable Mentions:
Mylene Paat, Chiara Permentilla, Thang Ponce, Eli Soyud, Trisha Tubu, and Kate Santiago
Alyssa Valdez from Ateneo de Manila University
Currently plays for: Creamline Cool Smashers
For this one, any further introduction isn't necessary as the 'Phenom' of Philippine volleyball ain't just one big name. It was as if Valdez took the sport altogether on her shoulders and brought it to where it is now and where it can still go the rest of the way. But as one of the most humble and down-to-earth sportspersons on and off the court, the Cosmopolitan Philippines December 2024 cover star won't ever take credit for a distinction of such magnitude.
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All that she's done for Ateneo won't ever be matched—four times the UAAP's best scorer, thrice a season MVP and best server, a finals MVP, and most importantly, the hero in the Lady Eagles' first two collegiate volleyball crowns. As she set foot in the big leagues and the pros, she'd be everything and more as the face of the sport. Three MVPs and eight best outside hitter plums aside, Alyssa, a Creamline pioneer, won all 10 titles with the club.
May it be with the national team, for club, or for school, Alyssa's legacy even at just 31 years old in the game has and will still pave the way for the sport's promising future.
Honorable Mentions:
Bea de Leon, Deanna Wong, Vanie Gandler, Kat Tolentino, Denden Lazaro-Revilla, Faith Nisperos, Jho Maraguinot, Pauline Gaston, Jules Samonte, Ella de Jesus, and Jem Ferrer
Mika Reyes from De La Salle University
Currently plays for: PLDT High Speed Hitters
When it comes to the Taft dynasty, one won't ever run out of champion-caliber options that were once under veteran mentor Ramil de Jesus' leadership. La Salle, the most successful collegiate women's volleyball team in the country with 12 UAAP titles, holds the distinction of being the only school with at least one active player in all 12 PVL teams today.
One of the most formidable names to have emerged from the Lady Spikers stable is Mika Reyes. From UAAP to the now-defunct Philippine Superliga (PSL) and the PVL, Mika can be considered one of the most decorated volleyball players the country has produced.
Bar a PVL crown, Mika has won in every prior league or tournament she's been part of, with three UAAP titles and five PSL championships to her name. The 30-year-old PLDT ace's defensive prowess cemented her place among the country's finest middle blockers to still be in the game today.
'Yeye,' as Mika would usually be referred to, carries not ony radiant beauty but also a charismatic energy that continues to set her apart years into her scinitillating career.
Honorable Mentions:
Ara Galang , Aby Maraño, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Kim Fajardo, Kianna Dy, Michele Gumabao, Jolina dela Cruz, Mars Alba, Des Cheng, Fifi Sharma, Mich Cobb, Thea Gagate, and Julia Coronel
Rachel Daquis from Far Easten University
Currently plays for: Farm Fresh Foxies
Before volleyball even made waves the way it's been doing so today, Rachel Daquis was already a serial winner in Morayta. Timeless is an understatement in more ways than one for the 36-year-old spiker, who recently made her much-awaited return to the PVL with the Farm Fresh Foxies.
In two decades as a volleyball player, Daquis was easily one of the earliest faces of a sport that long rested on the shadows of basketball's glitz and glamour. FEU will always remember 'RAD' as the central domineering figure of the last Lady Tamaraws team to win the UAAP title 16 years ago in Season 70. As she rode into the sunset of a one-of-a-kind college career at the time, Rachel took club volleyball by storm and won the defunct Shakey's V-League thrice and the PSL six times with three teams over a four-year period.
Simply put, it was a fine mix of skill, grace, and power that allowed the former 'Queen Tamaraw' to have longevity in the sport now 20 years and counting on the volleyball taraflex.
Honorable Mentions:
Bernadeth Pons, Celine Domingo, Kyle Negrito, Gel Cayuna, Kyla Atienza, Buding Duremdes, and Chin Basas
Ivy Lacsina from National University
Currently plays for: Akari Chargers
National University's new crop of stars have taken over the Philippine volleyball scenes at a rapid pace. Among the core players of the Lady Bulldogs team that ended the school's 65-year UAAP championship drought was Ivy Lacsina.
While Ivy opted not to play out her remaining years of eligibility with NU, the versatile 25-year-old ace fast-tracked her growth in the sport by joining a star-studded F2 Logistics mainly comprised of former La Salle champion aces. It was during her time as a Cargo Mover which marked the start of a drastic shift in her on-court role from defense to offense. NU's former middle blocker became a highly-touted spiker through her Japanese mentor Taka Minowa during her previous Nxled stint and current Akari run in the PVL.
Such a fast rise made 'Ibyang' an undeniable darling of the crowd alongside her partner Deanna Wong from Choco Mucho and a must-see presence for her ever-explosive scoring exploits.
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Honorable Mentions:
Myla Pablo, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Rose Doria, Jorelle Singh, Jen Nierva, Joyme Cagande, Cess Robles, Jasmine Nabor, Roma Joy Doromal, and Risa Sato
Kath Arado From University Of The East
Currently plays for: PLDT High Speed Hitters
While the Lady Red Warriors had their fair share of struggles over the years, they didn't fall short of producing remarkable names in the sport. And when it comes to bona fide floor generals, best believe Kath Arado's name will always be tossed up in the mix.
Only a few liberos could even dare put their names alongside the 26-year-old defender in terms of on-court credentials. Her defensive presence off the bat was so strong that she received the UAAP's rookie of the year honors in Season 77—one that'd typically be given to hard-hitting spikers or towering net fortresses.
Kath would rack up top digger and receiver nods in the college ranks before earning herself best libero awards twice in the PSL and thrice in the PVL. Still in the game as one of the best with PLDT, her time as a national team mainstay and consistent defensive unit at club level undoubtedly makes her one of UE and college volleyball's most formidable stars.
Honorable Mentions:
Judith Abil, Mean Mendrez, Shaya Adorador, Seth Rodriguez, and Roselle Baliton
Tots Carlos from University of the Philippines
Currently plays for: Creamline Cool Smashers
No one screams power on the court as hard as Tots Carlos has for UP, Creamline, and the national team over the years. Through the Fighting Maroons' winless spells, she'd always be at the forefront firing the hardest of hits even for an often-cellar-dwelling school in collegiate women's volleyball.
The three-time PVL MVP and six-time champion did hammer it home in the pros where she firmly established herself not only as a force on offense but an eventual serial winner, too. Versatility also proved to be her strong suit over the years as she'd consistently show out and add more individual distinctions to her name whether as an outside or opposite hitter.
It also opened doors for her to represent the country with Creamline as a national team player. At present, however, Tots was tapped to join the nationals' newest iteration in Alas Pilipinas but has yet to suit up in light of recent injury spells.
Honorable Mentions:
Isa Molde, Lorie Bernardo, Jewel Encarnacion, Steph Bustrillo, and Jaila Atienza
Sisi Rondina from the University of Santo Tomas
Currently plays for: Choco Mucho Flying Titans
If there's one thing University of Santo Tomas' small-but-terrible star has proven throughout her career, one's heart can be much mightier than just height. The high-flying, 5-foot-6 spiker stands tall in an esteemed list of heralded España-based volleyball stars that has conquered both the taraflex and the sands.
Sisi has won nearly every honor there is as a beach volleyball attacker from her college days, club volleyball stints, and in the world stage as part of the national team over the years. In the indoor scene, the Cebuana pride was once a PVL MVP, twice a PSL champion, and a best outside hitter recipient more times than what can be counted by two hands.
Her pursuit of scaling new heights never stopped as an integral offensive weapon for Alas Pilipinas while striving ever-so hard to win Choco Mucho its first-ever PVL championship — one that has been five years in the making now. Philippine volleyball's resident power leaper and hitter has long embodied the Thomasian fighting spirit, even as a UAAP title eluded her rather pristine college career.
But when it comes to listing down some of the best homegrown aces to have taken the volleyball court, Sisi's name will always be in the conversation.
Honorable Mentions:
Eya Laure, EJ Laure, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Caitlin Viray, Riri Meneses, Maika Ortiz, Mafe Galanza, Maji Mangulabnan, and Alina Bicar
