MANILA – Negrense volleybelle Alyssa Bertolano has opted to discontinue playing for the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in UAAP women’s volleyball to turn professional.
The Talisay City, Negros Occidental-native left the school after just two seasons after getting a deal to play for Quezon City Gerflor Defenders in the Premier Volleyball League.
According to Bertolano, it was a tough decision for her to leave the Fighting Maroons’ women’s volleyball team but was forced to due to some personal circumstances.
“It was a very hard decision. I still really want to play and represent UP but there are some personal circumstances that made me decide to turn pro,” Bertolano said.
The Negrense volleybelle, however, was very much grateful to the Fighting Maroons for helping on her development as a volleyball player in her two seasons there.
Bertolano was not the only Fighting Maroon to leave the UP den as Ethan Arce also opted to forego her remaining years in UAAP to sign up with the Defenders.
Ilongga volleybelle Shannen Palec also found a new home with the Defenders after spending the past few PVL conferences with the Choco Mucho Flying Titans.
Also in Gerflor’s roster were Carmina Aganon, Jannine Navarro, Ivy Perez, Mary Anne Esguerra, Justine Dorog, Fenela Emnas, Ranya Musa, Andrea Marzan, Rapril Aguilar, Pia Sarmiento, Julia Angeles and Angelique Jingco.
Listed as head coach for the Quezon City-based volleyball team is Edgar Barroga, who also handled several teams in PVL and Philippine Superliga before.
Gerflor is one of the three new teams in the PVL Invitational slated later this month aside from Farm Fresh Foxies and Foton Tornadoes, which is returning to the volleyball scene after four years./PN
