It’s an interesting PVL Rookie Draft class to say the least.
Thirty-eight aspirants will be ripe for the picking when the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft takes place this Wednesday, June 3, at the Novotel Araneta Manila in Cubao.
It’s an interesting rookie batch to say the least, with projected top prospects Alyssa Solomon and Nina Ytang withdrawing to focus on the national team. On the other hand, we still have familiar faces like Detdet Pepito and Lams Lamina leading this rookie class, alongside a revelation in Barbie Jamili.
Ahead of the ceremonies, here is The GAME’s fearless forecast for the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft.
Galeries Tower Highrisers: Detdet Pepito (Libero, UST Golden Tigresses)
Following the withdrawal of Alyssa Solomon and Niña Ytang, Galeries Tower is no longer split between best-available talent and prioritizing their needs. This opens the door for them to select former UST captain Detdet Pepito, given their shortage at the backline.
Along with her elite floor defense, Pepito also brings competitive fire and natural leadership, perfect intangibles for a young team like the Highrisers.
Capital1 Solar Spikers: Lams Lamina (Setter, NU Lady Bulldogs)
Capital1 already boasts three All-Star spikers in top rookie Bella Belen and former Cignal stars Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos. All that’s left is a playmaker who can maximize the talents of this group.
A setter is also at the top of Capital1’s draft priorities, according to coach Jorge de Brito, making Lams Lamina a perfect fit for the Solar Spikers. Just imagine Belen, Gandler, and Santos getting easy points off her trademark no-blocker sets.
Choco Mucho Flying Titans: Alyanna Ong (Middle Blocker, Mapua Lady Cardinals)
Alyanna Ong is likely a name Choco Mucho will look into, given their continued search for stability at the middle blocker position.
Ong may not be your usual five-foot-eleven or six-foot-something quicker, but she did make an impression in the Draft Combine, ranking third in Approach Jump (298 cm) and sixth in Vertical Reach (283 cm). Only UAAP stars including Ytang and Solomon were ahead of the outgoing Lady Cardinal in these tests.
ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles: Khy Cepada (Outside Hitter, UE Lady Red Warriors)
On paper, ZUS Coffee already has hard-hitting spikers in Chinnie Arroyo, Cess Robles, and Ren Penafiel. However, it was also true that scoring was sorely missed throughout their 2026 All-Filipino Conference campaign.
This might be an early shocker, but Khy Cepada could be an option for the Thunderbelles, having emerged as one of UE’s main gunners since Season 87. The Cebuana spiker has made the most out of her opportunities in Recto, showing off power and explosiveness as a silver lining for the Lady Red Warriors.
With ZUS Coffee, Cepada also gets to learn from coach Jerry Yee, while acting as a sparkplug for the up-and-coming Thunderbelles.
Akari Chargers: Tin Ubaldo (Setter, FEU Lady Tamaraws)
Selecting Ubaldo is more of a best-available talent pick for the Akari Chargers. Ubaldo is the second-best playmaker behind Lamina in this draft, giving Akari a boost in their setting pool behind Mars Alba.
Nxled Chameleons: Irah Jaboneta (Outside Hitter/Libero, UP Lady Maroons)
Coach Ettore Guidetti openly admits Nxled’s need to improve their backline. Though Pepito is likely to go first, Nxled still has a chance to snap up UP’s Irah Jaboneta with the sixth-overall pick.
As seen in Season 88, versatility is Jaboneta’s biggest asset, splitting time between outside hitter and libero in her final year with State U. Jaboneta is likely to take over from Bang Pineda and Jellie Tempiatura at the libero spot. But given her strengths, it wouldn’t be surprising to see her suit up as an OH2 as needed.
Farm Fresh Foxies: Barbie Jamili (Outside Hitter, Adamson Lady Falcons)
Barbie Jamili was one of the biggest revelations in the Draft Combine, topping the Pro Agility, Hop Test, and 10-meter sprints. The former Adamson spiker looked just as solid in the scrimmages, firing pinpoint spikes as she and her fellow aspirants took part in organized competition.
Though she will join a loaded spiking pool in Farm Fresh, this could be a perfect time for Jamili to make a first impression, especially with Ces Molina and Ara Galang expected to spend time with Alas Pilipinas.
PLDT High Speed Hitters: Jonna Perdido (Outside Hitter, UST Golden Tigresses)
With Perdido, PLDT is banking on potential, given that the former UST ace is coming off an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Still, we all know what Perdido is capable of, being a lefty outside hitter that brings a crafty offensive arsenal. Before her injury, Perdido was part of a vaunted trio with UAAP Season 86 Rookie of the Year Angge Poyos and ace opposite spiker Reg Jurado in España.
Creamline Cool Smashers: Joan Monares (Outside Hitter, UP Fighting Maroons)
A spiker should now be at the top of Creamline’s priorities after securing Nica Celis and Sheena Toring in last year’s draft, along with Erin Pangilinan in the offseason. Coach Sherwin Meneses is also looking at a long-term investment as the Cool Smashers’ core isn’t getting any younger.
Like Perdido, potential will be the main selling point for ex-UP skipper Joan Monares, whose stellar UAAP Season 87 campaign was followed by an injury-riddled run in Season 88. Still, Monares’ back injury shouldn’t be an issue for Creamline. After all, her selection isn’t a win-now move for the league darlings, but rather a preparation for the inevitable end of an era.
Banner images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.
Frequently Asked Questions
The 2026 PVL Rookie Draft will take place this Wednesday, June 3, at the Novotel Araneta Manila in Cubao, featuring thirty-eight aspirants ripe for selection.
Detdet Pepito is projected as the first overall pick for the Galeries Tower Highrisers, providing the young team with elite backline floor defense and leadership.
Top prospects Alyssa Solomon and Niña Ytang officially withdrew from the 2026 rookie draft class to focus fully on their commitments to the Philippine national team.
Barbie Jamili emerged as the draft combine revelation, securing top finishes in the Pro Agility, Hop Test, and 10-meter sprints before showing strong scrimmage performances.
Capital1 Solar Spikers will target setter Lams Lamina to maximize their elite spiking core, fulfilling coach Jorge de Brito’s explicit priority for a premier playmaker.
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