Nicole Ong became the highest-picked NCAA player in the three-year history of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Rookie Draft after being selected fourth overall by the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in the 2026 edition held Wednesday at Novotel Manila Araneta City.
For Ong, the milestone serves as proof that the NCAA continues to produce top-tier volleyball talent.
"I'm very happy because it's a big deal to represent the NCAA. I do believe the NCAA has a lot of power and potential. If given the opportunity to represent the league, I'm really thankful and grateful," Ong said.
Ong spent five seasons with the Mapua Lady Cardinals, earning Best Middle Blocker honors in Seasons 97 and 99.
The Thunderbelles are looking to bolster their roster after finishing at the bottom of the standings in the preliminary round of the PVL Open Conference and eventually bowing out in the play-in stage.
The PVL is set to return in July with the PVL on Tour.
—JKC, GMA News
