Philips Gold taps Fil-Am Superliga No. 1 pick

MANILA, Philippines - Fil-Am setter Iris Tolenada, boasting of impressive credentials, beat homegrown talents as she emerged the top pick for this year’s Philippine Superliga Rookie Draft at SM Aura in Taguig City yesterday.

Tolenada, 23, was tabbed by Philips Gold, formerly Mane N’ Tail, in rites hosted by Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano and Rep. Lino Cayetano and SM Management and attended by Superliga officials Ramon “Tatz” Suzara and Philip Ella Juico and Larong Volleyball ng Pilipinas, Inc. president Joey Romasanta.

“I feel honored as well as excited being picked first in the Philippine Superliga,” said Tolenada, a pretty setter born to Filipino parents who migrated to the US.

Tolenada was the first San Francisco State University player to win the MVP award in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.

She will team up with Michelle Gumabao, Rosann Fajardo, Leuseth Dawis and fellow neophytes Myla Pablo and Desiree Dadang, who were acquired in the second round of the draft.

Philips Gold coach Francis Vicente said she likes how well Tolenada would fit into his squad.

“I love her attitude and leadership,” said Vicente of Tolenada. “With Tolenada around, we are already a complete package. She could be my extension inside the court. She brings a lot of intangibles which we lacked last season.”

Picked second by Foton was Angeli Araneta, a power-hitting middle spiker who spearheaded University of the Philippines remarkable campaign in this year’s UAAP.

Cignal tapped Rica Enclona for the third pick; followed by Rizza Mandapat by Shopinas, open spiker Therese Veronas by Shamac and pretty open spiker Alexa Micek by Petron in the first round.

After Philips Gold took in Dadang in the second round, Foton went for Ateneo libero Denise Lazaro to boost its backline defense.

Then, Cignal tapped Diane Ticar (3rd), Shopinas Djanel Cheng (4th), Shacman Samantha Dawson (5th) and Petron Ivy Perez (6th) to wind up this year’s draft.

“We hope all teams have addressed their needs,” said Suzara. “We are excited to see these girls in action and we’re wishing them luck to their respective careers.”