UP Fighting Maroons team captain Nica Celis is among the earliest to publicly declare for upcoming 2025 PVL Draft.
UP middle blocker Nica Celis confirmed that she will be declaring for the 2025 PVL Draft after helping the Fighting Maroons to a joint-5th place finish in the recently-concluded UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.
Celis, who was captain of the Fighting Maroons in Season 87, played her rookie year back in 2019.
After years of losing seasons, including two years of 1-13 campaigns for UP, Celis and Fighting Maroons were able to compete until late into Season 87, where they were still in contention for the Final Four.
But after a loss to eventual third-placer UST in the second round, the team's Final Four hopes were dashed.
Despite this, Celis reflected on her career in Diliman and as she takes her talents to the professional league.
“The best lesson I learned throughout my years in UP is tibayan ang utak at puso. My stay has been very challenging talaga, but you really have to find the good in everything and make everything work out," she said.
"Before coming to UP, pangarap ko lang naman talaga mag-UAAP, and alam ko, I have to really work hard to get there."
If she gets drafted, Celis will join the likes of Creamline’s Tots Carlos, Choco Mucho’s Isa Molde, Petro Gazz’ Nicole Tiamzon, Galeries Tower’s Jewel Encarnacion, and Akari’s Steph Bustrillo in the pros as former Fighting Maroons.
"I know it won't be easy pagdating sa pro, but because I love what I do, I'm sure kaya ko rin i-conquer yung challenges doon," she said.