For Pia Abbu, the time has come to trade in the black-and-gold for a professional jersey.
With her academic journey at the University of Santo Tomas officially over, Abbu is ready to embark on a new chapter in her volleyball career—one that takes her to the highly competitive ranks of the Premier Volleyball League.
"Ayun nga po, since graduating na rin po ako and wala na akong units sa UST, isang reason din po ‘yun bakit napagdesisyunan kong magpa-draft,” Abbu shared, her voice filled with both excitement and a touch of nostalgia.
The 22-year-old middle blocker, who has become a staple of the UST Golden Tigresses' core in recent years, knows that entering the 2025 PVL Draft is more than just a personal milestone. It's also about making space for the next wave of Tigresses eager to make their mark.
“Also, marami na rin po kasing aakyat from high school and mga natirang teammates ko, so opportunity din po for them na ma-expose and mag-grow din po sa UAAP,” she added.
It’s a selfless gesture that reflects the character of a player molded by one of the country’s most storied collegiate programs—a program where grit isn’t just a buzzword, but a way of life.
But while Abbu speaks with confidence, the decision to leave was anything but easy. UST has been her second home, and the teammates she’s shared countless battles with have become her family. Letting go of that, she admits, was a tough call.
“Syempre po mahirap din po siya in a sense na ang tagal ko rin po sa UST kasama ‘yung teammates and coaches. ‘Yun nga po, kailangan ko rin mag-grow sa paglabas ko, parang out of my comfort zone po so ‘yun ‘yung naging isang factor,” she explained.
It’s a rare kind of maturity that’s guiding Abbu’s next move. Rather than staying another season or playing it safe, she’s choosing growth—welcoming the uncertainties of the pro level with open arms.
And while she may be bidding farewell to collegiate volleyball, she's bringing along the invaluable lessons from her time in the UAAP: the late-game comebacks, the hard-fought rallies, and the camaraderie that turned teammates into sisters.
“Of course ‘yung experience po talaga. Kasi parang walang katulad din po talaga ‘yung experience na makapaglaro ka sa UAAP na madadala mo going into the higher level,” she said.
In her final year with the Tigresses, Abbu not only proved her value as a dependable presence at the net but also emerged as one of the squad’s leaders—unwavering in the face of adversity, vocal in the locker room, and steady on the court. It’s that same brand of leadership and determination she hopes to carry into the PVL, no matter which team picks her.
“Yung grit and leadership ko na nadala ko from UST. Also, open ako lagi kung ano ‘mang role na ibigay sa’kin, willing ako i-embrace ‘yun and open akong matuto pa sa kung ano ‘mang maibagay sa’kin na role,” she said with conviction.
