After years away from volleyball due to injury and mental struggles, former Adamson Lady Falcon May Roque is staging a comeback by entering the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft.
May Roque is ready to give volleyball another shot.
Once seen as one of Adamson University’s rising stars, Roque is now hoping to revive her career as she enters the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft.
“Siguro I want to try again, kasi parang hindi ko tinapos 'yung sa UAAP,” Roque told reporters during Day 1 of the Draft Combine. “Gusto kong i-fulfill 'yung sa volleyball career ko if ever ma-draft.”
The 27-year-old opened up about her struggles following an ACL injury during UAAP Season 78, where she had formed a strong trio with the Lady Falcons alongside now-PVL standouts Jema Galanza and Mylene Paat.
Although she made it back to the court in UAAP Season 80, the road after that wasn’t all smooth.
“Nag-break ako kasi mentally, hindi pa ako ready ulit sa volleyball. Sobrang na-down ako after nung ACL ko, sunud-sunod na struggles,” she admitted. “Siguro binuild up ko muna 'yung courage ko para makabalik.”
Roque was preparing for a return before the pandemic hit, but again, her volleyball comeback had to wait. This time, however, the timing feels right.
“Now 'yung time na makabalik talaga,” she said, adding that she's slowly rebuilding her foundation through conditioning. “Mas confident na ulit ako sa sarili ko.”
Roque even gave credit to Galanza for pushing her to try again.
“[Sabi niya] ‘bumalik ka kasi kaya mo naman 'yun.’ Isa rin siya sa mga nag-push sakin bumalik.”
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While she knows the sport has evolved, Roque believes she still has something valuable to offer to the PVL, especially her hunger to compete.
“Sure ako na gagawin ko 'yung 100 percent ko para makabalik and maka-help sa team na kukuha o magda-draft sa akin.”
Roque joins a deep pool of talent in this year’s Rookie Draft, but her story adds a deeper narrative, with some teams possibly looking at her potential.