Zam Nolasco plans to turn pro after NCAA MVP year

After being named the NCAA Season 101 Most Valuable Player and leading De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde to a runner-up finish, Zam Nolasco revealed that she is planning to take her talents to the professional level.

Nolasco confirmed the development after the Lady Blazers’ loss to Colegio de San Juan de Letran last Friday in Game 3 of the finals.

“Siguro kasi, andon na rin ‘yung parang naisip ko na time na din na parang sila naman. And ayun, marami naman ako natutunan sa collegiate eh, madadala ko naman siguro siya sa pro,” Nolasco said.

“Ayun po, I'm happy naman po sa mga lahat na na-experience ko sa buong season ko dito sa NC.”

(I guess I'm at that point where I'm thinking, it's their turn now. I learned a lot in my time on the collegiate level, I think I'll be able to bring that over to the pros... I'm happy for everything I was able to experience in my seasons in the NC.)

The 6-foot-1 middle blocker played with Benilde for four years, where she was part of three title runs.

Now set to turn pro, Nolasco hopes to showcase a more mature version of herself.

“Siguro po ‘yung character ko po and siguro andon na rin po ‘yung pagiging leader ko. Kasi knowing na this season is very challenging for us, siguro nag-gain ko na po talaga ‘yung maturity.

“Kung hindi man po ‘yung whole, feel ko po mas may matutunan ako sa mga ate ko, kung sino pong makakasama ko sa team na yun. And ayun po, handa naman po ako na mag-gain pa ng knowledge and lessons.”

(I guess it's my character and my ability to be a leader. Knowing that this season is very challenging for us, I guess I really gained some maturity... I feel like there's a lot I can learn from my big sisters, whoever I would become teammates with. I'm ready to gain more knowledge and lessons.)

Nolasco previously played for Farm Fresh in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), making her a free agent who no longer needs to go through the draft.

She has also been invited to the Alas Pilipinas pool, which Benilde head coach Jerry Yee described as another significant achievement for the NCAA MVP.

“Of course, proud na ma-recognize sila, na ma-invite sila. So, very happy for her,” Yee said.

(Of course, I'm proud they were recognized and invited. So very happy for her.)

READ MORE | Alas Pilipinas invites NCAA stars Vanessa Sarie, Zam Nolasco to join national pool

Nolasco, however, said she will take time to consider the reported invite.

“Pinag-iisipan ko pa rin po siya kasi since buong year na po kami naglalaro so feel ko po, parang need ko rin talaga ng recovery sa body ko,” she said. “Ayun na po, need ko rin po talaga mag-invest pa ng more healthy na katawan para sa mga iba pang leagues.”

(I'm still considering it because the we've been playing the whole year now so I feel like I might need time for my body to recover... I need to really invest in a more healthy body ahead of the other leagues.)

—JMB, GMA News