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Safe to say, nobody expected most of these selections in their mock drafts, right?
The 2026 PVL Rookie Draft is now in the books, with 11 out of 38 aspirants being chosen in the ceremonies held last Wednesday, June 3, at the Novotel Araneta in Quezon City.
National U’s Lams Lamina was selected first-overall by the Galeries Tower Highrisers, followed by Detdet Pepito reuniting with childhood friend Bella Belen in Capital1 — two surprising picks when judging according to their respective team’s needs. Behind them were a few more surprise selections, and even possible steals in the long haul.
With that being said, here’s our analysis of how this year’s draft went down.
Galeries Tower Highrisers: Lams Lamina (Setter, NU Lady Bulldogs), Ann Asis (Middle Blocker, FEU Lady Tamaraws)
Oftentimes, best-available talent takes precedence over team needs when holding the first-overall pick. Polarizing as it was, that same logic applies to Galeries Tower selecting Lams Lamina as this year’s top draftee.
There’s no doubt about Julia Coronel’s talent, having improved tremendously since debuting in 2024. However, it’s also hard to pass on a prospect like Lamina, a setter that’s often tagged as heir apparent to the great Jia Morado-de Guzman. We all know the value of great setters in volleyball, and that’s something Lamina brings to the table.
Now, the question is how the Highrisers can maximize a Lamina-Coronel tandem. How will this dynamic work? Or can we see Coronel spending more time as a wing spiker come the PVL On Tour?
Either way, it’s going to be an interesting period for Galeries Tower, who also bolstered their middle blocking rotation by selecting Ann Asis in the second round.
Capital1 Solar Spikers: Detdet Pepito (Libero, UST Golden Tigresses) , Khy Cepada (Outside Hitter, UE Lady Warriors)
If there was anyone who won the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft, it had to be the Capital1 Solar Spikers after they snagged Detdet Pepito at second, along with a possible steal in Khy Cepada. These picks, along with their offseason additions, make the Solar Spikers a team to watch for the next season.
With Pepito, Capital1 gains an elite floor defender that solidifies their backline, and brings a competitive fire that fits in nicely with an up-and-coming team. Just imagine Pepito anchoring the floor defense with Belen — a tandem that’s sure to pose headaches for the league’s best spikers.
Cepada, meanwhile, joins a spiking pool that also includes Vanie Gandler and opposite hitter Erika Santos. A stacked rotation, yes, but Cepada gives Coach Jorge de Brito flexibility, especially during rare off-nights for either Belen or Gandler. From a starter in UE, expect Cepada to transition into a sparkplug of sorts for the Solar Spikers.
Choco Mucho Flying Titans: Tin Ubaldo (Setter, FEU Lady Tamaraws)
After Tia Andaya last year, Choco Mucho used their lottery pick on former FEU ace Tin Ubaldo, who joins a rotation that also includes Deanna Wong and Alina Bicar. Though it could be a best-available talent pick for the Flying Titans, it could also be a strategic gamble with long-term success in mind.
ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles: Alyanna Ong (Middle Blocker, Mapua Lady Cardinals)
Now the highest-drafted talent from the NCAA, Mapua’s Alyanna Ong joins a ZUS Coffee squad that already features Thea Gagate, AC Miner, and Riza Nogales at the middle.
Still, this gives the Thunderbelles some flexibility. Coach Jerry Yee could have AC Miner playing more minutes as an opposite, while Ong becomes Riza Nogales’ partner at the net while Gagate fulfills her commitments with Alas Pilipinas. There is also the question of health, with Miner missing the 2026 All-Filipino Conference due to a recurring shin injury, while Nogales previously dealt with a partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear.
Akari Chargers: PASS
According to assistant coach Eddieson Orcullo, Akari entered the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft with two talents in mind. As these prospects were picked earlier, the Chargers opted to pass instead of going for a backup plan.
It’s worth noting, though, that Akari already has a complete core led by Ivy Lacsina, Eli Soyud, Fifi Sharma, and Mars Alba. Tin Tiamzon has also been signed, and will likely split time with Grethcel Soltones as the defensive outside hitter.
But if Akari has any more prospects in mind, they will have a total of 28 undrafted rookies to choose from, which still includes ex-UP skipper Joan Monares and UST sparkplug Xyza Gula.
Nxled Chameleons: Irah Jaboneta (Outside Hitter/Libero, UP Lady Maroons)
Of the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft selections, this one was most expected, with Jaboneta solving Nxled’s need for stability on floor defense. By joining the Chameleons, Jaboneta now gets a chance to play for a championship, as she links up with a veteran core led by three-time MVP Brooke Van Sickle.
Farm Fresh Foxies: Jonna Perdido (Outside Hitter, UST Golden Tigresses), Ela Raagas (Setter, DLSU Lady Spikers)
With the sixth-overall pick, Farm Fresh opted to add another spiker in UST’s Jonna Perdido, the lefty OH2 whose rise was sidetracked by an ACL injury in 2024. And while she’s still working her way back, Perdido did show flashes of her old form for the Tigresses in UAAP Season 88, and should be a positive sign for the Foxies.
Perdido now reunites with Coach Kung Fu Reyes in Farm Fresh, while catching the attention of Japanese mentor Koji Tzuzurabara — a mentor who has more than proven his worth in the local volleyball scene. Now, it’s a matter of proving her mettle in the PVL on Tour, where spikers Ces Molina and Ara Galang are expected to sit out due to national team commitments.
Apart from Perdido, Farm Fresh also snagged a project in Ela Raagas, another tall setter that links up with Alohi Robins-Hardy and Louie Romero.
PLDT High Speed Hitters: Fianne Ariola (Setter, University of Perpetual Help Lady Altas)
It was a change of plans for PLDT in the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft, who tabbed Fianne Ariola from Perpetual Help instead of a wing spiker as Coach Rald Ricafort previously mentioned. As the High Speed Hitters also have a championship-winning core, it’s likely a forward-looking selection rather than an immediate-term need.
Creamline Cool Smashers: Barbie Jamili (Outside Hitter, Adamson Lady Falcons)
Along with Cepada, Adamson’s Barbie Jamili could be another steal in the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft, as she brings untapped potential to an aging Creamline core. Realistically speaking, playing time could still be scarce for Jamili to start her pro career. Still, she gets to learn from veterans like Jema Galanza and Bernadeth Pons as she forms part of the Cool Smashers’ youth revolution.
And let’s not forget, Jamili will also be under Coach Sherwin Meneses, who has shown his knack for player development as seen with Tots Carlos and Galanza in Creamline. With this in mind, will we have a Galanza 2.0 in the making with Jamili?
Banner images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lams Lamina of the NU Lady Bulldogs was selected first overall by the Galeries Tower Highrisers. A setter widely regarded as the heir apparent to Jia Morado-de Guzman, Lamina was chosen on the strength of her talent despite the Highrisers already having Julia Coronel on their roster.
Capital1 Solar Spikers are widely considered the draft’s biggest winners, securing libero Detdet Pepito with the second pick and outside hitter Khy Cepada as a potential steal. The additions strengthen both their backline and spiking rotation heading into the next PVL season.
Akari entered the draft with two specific prospects in mind, but both were selected by other teams before their pick. Rather than drafting a backup option, the Chargers passed — a calculated move given their already complete core led by Ivy Lacsina, Eli Soyud, and Fifi Sharma.
Khy Cepada of UE, drafted by Capital1, and Barbie Jamili of Adamson, drafted by Creamline, are considered the draft’s top value picks. Both bring upside beyond their draft position — Cepada as a flexible scoring option and Jamili as a developmental outside hitter under Coach Sherwin Meneses.
Eleven players were selected out of 38 aspirants in the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft, held on June 3 at the Novotel Araneta in Quezon City. Twenty-seven rookies went undrafted and remain available for teams to sign, including former UP skipper Joan Monares and UST’s Xyza Gula.