ALTHOUGH not among the well-known talents from the UAAP and the NCAA trying their luck in the PVL rookie Draft, Fil-Am setter Tia Andaya is raring to prove her worth in the country’s pro volleyball league.
Andaya is one of the 60 aspirants hoping to hear their names called in the proceedings set for Sunday, June 8, at the Novotel Manila Araneta City.
With guarded optimism, Andaya expressed excitement in joining the PVL and experiencing first-hand Philippine volleyball.
“I’m not sure about my expectations, to be honest. I think this is a really new experience for me,” Andaya said. “I’m super excited to see what it’s all about, but from playing with the national team and girls that I’ve met here.
“The level is super good. I’m excited to see what the Philippines has to offer,” she added.
The 5-foot-9 Andaya turned heads in the two-day Combine over the weekend after she led all comers in both the countermovement jump (294 cm) and the approach jump (307 cm).
Andaya, who is also part of the Alas Pilipinas women’s national team pool, played for two United States NCAA Division I schools in Gonzaga University and Central Washington University.
After her collegiate stint, the 24-year-old saw action in Europe and played for Albanian team SK Tirana in 2023-24 season and Romanian squad CSM Lugoj in the 2024-25 season.
“I think everywhere in the world has a different style of volleyball, and so I think that’s what gives me a little bit of an edge because I have a lot of different perspectives to bring and show,” she said. “Going to the national team, I think it was just a super cool opportunity that I couldn’t pass up. Playing at the highest (level) in any country is an honor, so when I got the call, I had to answer.
“Then just spending more time in the Philippines, learning more about this country, and exploring it. Also, playing with these groups of girls is a really cool opportunity.”
Andaya said that she got some guidance and lessons from her Alas teammate and ace playmaker Jia De Guzman.
“I’ve learned a lot. She also has a lot of experience from other countries—she played in Japan. I think she has a unique perspective that she shared with me,” Andaya said.
“She’s also helped with the transition, coming into the Philippines because it’s different, so she’s made the transition very easy for me.”
