FORMER UST Golden Tigress Pia Abbu is officially turning professional after being selected 14th overall in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Draft 2025 on Sunday, June 8 at Novotel in Manila.
The 5-foot-9 middle blocker became the second UST product to be drafted into the country’s professional volleyball league, following the footsteps of former teammate Pierre Abellana who was selected 16th by the Farm Fresh Foxies in last year’s inaugural draft.
“I’m really happy and grateful for the opportunity given by Capital1 and for the trust they’ve placed in me,” Abbu said after being drafted.
She is set to play alongside three-time UAAP MVP Mhicaela Belen, who was the first overall pick in this year’s rookie class.
“[E]verything I’ve learned from my coaches at UST—I’ll definitely bring that with me to Capital1, along with my experience, passion and grit for the game,” she added.
Opting to forgo her final year in UAAP, Abbu took to social media to formally announce her farewell from the España university on Saturday, June 7.
“Ended with a head full of dreams and a heart full of gratitude,” Abbu said in a social media post.
“Maraming salamat (Thank you vet much), UST — for the dreams, the discipline, and the family… Walang kapantay ang pagmamahal mo (Your love is unparalleled), UST. You will always be home,” she added.
Abbu will earn her degree cum laude from the UST College of Tourism and Hospitality Management on June 11, closing her student-athlete chapter on a high note. Her departure leaves co-seniors Detdet Pepito and Jonna Perdido as the team’s remaining veterans for Season 88.
In 2022, Abbu broke into the seniors’ division and went on to play a key role in UST’s podium finishes—securing silver in Season 86 and bronze in Season 87, cementing her role as a reliable presence at the net.
Abbu capped off her final year averaging 5.5 points per game and 0.35 blocks per set.
Joining Abbu in this year’s draft is her former teammate outside hitter Ren Peñafiel who is donning the Chery Tiggo Crossovers jersey as the 26th overall pick.
A graduating student from the College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Peñafiel sat out Season 87 to prioritize her academics and only played for two seasons in UST from Season 85 to Season 86.
Another former UST wing spiker, Angela Jackson, was picked 28th overall by the ZUS Coffeee Thunderbelles.
Jackson played for the España squad in the 2023 Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals where the team bagged bronze. F
