Picked at the third round by the Capital1 Solar Spikers, Ivy Aquino was among the few PVL draftees who came from outside the UAAP and NCAA.
Asian Institute of Maritime Studies (AIMS) alumni Ivy Aquino is set to make her volleyball dreams come true as she was drafted in the third round by PVL team Capital1 Solar Spikers, where she is set to join top pick Bella Belen.
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A middle blocker, Aquino was overwhelmed with excitement at being able to fulfill her goal of making it to the professional leagues.
“Sobrang overwhelming pa talaga. As in like hindi pa siya masyado nagsi-sink in. Feeling ko hindi ako makakatulog, iiyak lang ako kasi hindi ako makapaniwala na that I made it. Sobrang haba ng journey ko dito pa rin ako napunta,” said Aquino, who also joins Pia Abbu among Capital1 rookies.
“Gusto ko lang i-take ang opportunity na ito na magpasalamat sa lahat ng naniniwala sa akin and sa lahat ng mga tao na hindi bumitaw na kaya ko 'to.”
Coming from a school outside the UAAP and NCAA, Aquino had to prove her worth, with her career at AIMS doing little to support her bid, especially since scouts remained unfamiliar with their skills during their college years.
But with a handful of players being drafted outside of the two major leagues, Aquino said that it was proof that anyone could make it if they dreamed hard enough.
That is, no matter where you come from, volleyball greatness can blossom.
“At first it was very difficult talaga kasi iba yung kailangan namin na mindset kasi wala kami sa UAAP, wala kami sa NCAA, di kami kilalang teams and yung mga nakakalaban namin di ganun kalalakas din.” said Aquino.
“Pero sa sarili mo talaga, kung gusto mo, maabot mo eh. Kailangang ipu-push mo lang ang sarili mo palagi and kunin mong inspirasyon ang family mo at mga taong naniniwala sa’yo.” she added.
As for her new teammate Belen, Aquino said that they had crossed paths before — albeit in a more informal way.
[ALSO READ: Bella Belen selected first overall by Capital1 in 2025 PVL Draft]
During their high school days, Aquino said that she and Belen would play in pick-up games, where the three-time UAAP champion even stopped by their house afterwards.
Now that they are set to join forces in the PVL, the AIMS alumna is happy to take in everything that she can learn from Belen, Abbu, and the rest of the Solar Spikers.
“Sobrang excited [ako]. Actually before nung high school pa ako nakakasam ko si Bella. And alam ko na sobrang gifted and talented niya talaga. I look forward na makasama uli siya sa loob ng court at the same time nasa pro na kami. Marami akong matutunan kasi ang dami ko pang gaps especially di ako galing sa NCAA or UAAP,” she said.
“Sobrang kulit [ni Bella]. Sana maalala niya ako. I hope maalala niya ako kasi pumupunta rin siya sa bahay after ng games namin. Sobrang masaya siyang kasama and at the same time di siya mabigat sa loob ng court. Sobrang uplifting niya and I look forward talaga.”