Galeries Tower hits jackpot, secures No. 1 pick in 2026 PVL Draft

Luck was on Galeries Tower’s side.

The Highrisers came up with the fortunate draw, securing the first overall pick in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Draft after Monday’s lottery held at the TV5 Media Center.

Represented by last year’s second overall pick Jean Asis, the Highrisers defied the odds despite having just a 30 percent probability of landing the top selection.

“Super happy ako kasi alam mo ’yon, kami ’yung nabigyan ng chance na pumili na una sa draft pick,” Asis said.

“Kasi iba yung feeling na kayo yung nauuna eh kasi may choice talaga kayo. Yun, happy ako for the team.”

PVL Commissioner Sherwin Malonzo and Games and Amusements Board Chairman Manuel S. Plaza III supervised the lottery.

Despite holding the best odds at 40 percent to secure the first pick, Capital1 slipped to the second overall selection a year after using the first overall pick on Bella Belen.

Choco Mucho will pick third, while ZUS Coffee will select fourth. The remaining draft order will be Akari, Nxled, Farm Fresh, PLDT, and Creamline.

A total of 42 prospects are set to take part in the Draft Combine from May 28 to 29 at the Gameville Ballpark in Mandaluyong City.

Headlining the applicants are Alyssa Solomon, Niña Ytang, Bernadett Pepito, Camilla Lamina, and Tin Ubaldo.

“I’m happy to know that every year, our first pick changes. With the new players that entered the last minute, I’m excited for the teams this year,” Malonzo said.

Applicants for the draft may still withdraw until June 1 — two days before the draft proper at Novotel Manila, which is also supported by Buffalo’s Wings and Things, Ibis Styles Manila, and Gameville.

PVL hopefuls will undergo the mandatory Draft Combine from May 28 to 29 at Gameville Ballpark in Mandaluyong City.

Applicants have until June 1 to withdraw their names from the draft pool.

The draft lottery was held Monday night at the TV5 Media Center to determine the order of the top four picks.

Capital1 held the highest probability of landing the No. 1 overall pick at 40 percent after posting a 9.05 weighted average across three conferences.

Under the formula agreed upon by all teams before the 2025–26 season, the All-Filipino Conference carries a 75 percent weight, the Reinforced Conference accounts for 15 percent, and the PVL On Tour accounts for 10 percent.

Galeries Tower had a 30 percent chance of securing the top pick with a 9.0 weighted average.

ZUS Coffee held 20 percent odds, while Choco Mucho had a 10 percent chance in the lottery.

The incoming draft class underscores the PVL’s growing role as the main professional destination for standouts from the UAAP, NCAA, provincial programs, and overseas pathways. (PVL)