Former Adamson Lady Falcons May Roque during the PVL Rookie Draft Combine. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines —May Roque, once a promising young player for the Adamson Lady Falcons, is raring to rise again and revive her volleyball career through the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft.
FULL LIST: 2025 PVL Rookie Draft Aspirants
Among the 51 hopefuls in the PVL Rookie Combine was a familiar name in Roque, a former teammate of now PVL stars and MVPs Jema Galanza of Creamline and Mylene Paat of Chery Tiggo.
“I want to try again, kasi parang hindi ko tinapos ‘yung sa UAAP. So gusto kong i-fulfill ‘yung sa volleyball career ko if ever ma-draft,” Roque told reporters.
During her sophomore year in UAAP Season 78 nine years ago, Roque showed the qualities of an up-and-coming offensive weapon, conniving with Galanza and Paat in lifting the Lady Falcons.
May Roque wants to fly again.
The former Adamson spiker, Jema Galanza’s ex-teammate, is part of the #PVLDraft2025 eyeing a volleyball comeback. | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/jRhQ3fFJtJ
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 30, 2025
But an unfortunate ACL injury in the second round changed everything. She returned to the lineup in Season 80 but had limited playing time with Paat, Chiara Permentilla, and Eli Soyud carrying the cudgels for the young squad.
After her final season, Roque took a break from volleyball due to the mental challenges caused by her ACL injury and the COVID-19 pandemic, which also halted her return.
Day 1 of the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft Combine. –PVL PHOTO
“Nag-break ako kasi mentally, hindi pa ako ready ulit sa volleyball. Sobrang na-down ako after nung ACL ko, tapos hindi na [ako] nakabalik. Parang sunud-sunod na struggles ‘yung after nun, so siguro binuild up ko muna ‘yung courage ko para makabalik sa volleyball,” said Roque.
“Nagta-try [ako bumalik]. Babalik sana ako before the pandemic, kaso ayun, nag-pandemic, so na-pause ulit. Siguro now ‘yung time na makabalik talaga sa volleyball.”
READ: May Roque shines for Lady Falcons
The 27-year-old spiker is ready to try again with the help of her former teammate Galanza, who has won multiple championships with Creamline.
“Lalo si Jema, lagi niya talaga akong pinu-push bumalik. [Sabi niya] ‘bumalik ka kasi kaya mo naman ‘yun.’ Isa rin siya sa mga nag-push sakin bumalik sa volleyball,” said Roque. “Nag-start ulit ako ngayon sa conditioning before ito, sa draft, kaya mas confident na ulit ako sa sarili ko.”
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Roque may be a forgotten name in Philippine volleyball, but her desire to chase her dream fuels her to make an inspiring comeback — this time as a pro volleyball player.
“‘Yung hungriness na makapaglaro ulit. Sure ako na gagawin ko ‘yung 100 percent ko para makabalik and maka-help sa team na kukuha or magda-draft sa akin,” she said
