PVL Draft draws 38 hopefuls

Thirty-eight prospects will look to make the jump to the professional ranks when the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Draft takes center stage tonight at Novotel Manila Araneta City.

The draft ceremony is set for 7 p.m. and will be aired on One Sports, One Sports+, and Pilipinas Live.

The event is supported by Buffalo’s Wings and Things, Ibis Styles Manila, and Gameville.

Headlining this year’s draft class are National University setter Camilla Lamina and University of Santo Tomas libero Bernadett Pepito.

Lamina enters the draft as a two-time UAAP Best Setter, while Pepito is a two-time UAAP Best Libero.

Adamson University’s Barbie Jamili and University of the East’s Khy Cepada are also expected to draw attention after strong performances in the Draft Combine conducted by Valor Performance Institute.

Jamili topped multiple combine categories, including the 10-meter sprint with a time of 1.759 seconds.

She also led the pro agility 5-10-5 test at 5.109 seconds and the hop test reactive strength index with 3.36 meters per second.

Cepada placed second in the 10-meter sprint with 1.776 seconds and second in the countermovement jump at 44.7 centimeters.

She also finished third in the pro agility 5-10-5 test at 5.133 seconds.

Cepada ranked fifth in both the hop test reactive strength index with 2.28 meters per second and the approach jump with 295 centimeters.

Far Eastern University’s Tin Ubaldo will not attend the draft proper as she remains with the Alas Pilipinas Women pool preparing for the 2026 AVC Women’s Cup in Candon City.

Other UAAP standouts in the final draft pool are UST’s Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula; University of the Philippines’ Irah Jaboneta, Joan Monares, Heart Magsombol, and Jum Gayo; FEU’s Ann Asis and Florize Papa; De La Salle University’s Ela Raagas, Michelle Beterina, and Sophia Sindayen; UE’s Cepada, Tin Ecalla, and Kayce Balingit; Adamson’s Jamili; and Ateneo’s Taks Fujimoto.

Jade Fuentes of Cal State Dominguez Hills is the lone Filipino-foreign applicant in this year’s draft class.

The final pool also includes Letran’s Julienne Castro; Jose Rizal University’s Marianne Alona and Gayle Batara; Lyceum of the Philippines University’s Johna Dolorito, Janeth Tulang, and Jericha Lopez; Mapúa University’s Grace Cabadin and Alyanna Ong; San Beda University’s Erin Navarro; San Sebastian College-Recoletos’ Katherine Santos, Christina Marasigan, and Kristine Dionisio; University of Perpetual Help System DALTA’s Fianne Ariola; University of Nueva Caceres’ Kirsty Destajo; University of San Carlos’ Angel Galinato; Immaculada Concepcion College’s Jesska Sacay and Marjorie Orpilla; and Polytechnic University of the Philippines’ Lyca Dela Peña.

Players who withdrew from this year’s draft must reapply and undergo the draft process again in 2027.

They will not be classified as free agents because they were unable to participate in the draft proper.

As a professional league, the PVL does not allow amateur players to compete under special guest licenses, in accordance with Games and Amusements Board regulations.

Galeries Tower owns the No. 1 overall pick after winning the draft lottery held May 25.

Capital1 will pick second, followed by Choco Mucho and Zus Coffee.

Nxled, Akari, Farm Fresh, PLDT, and Creamline complete the rest of the first-round order.

Teams that pass on their selection will forfeit all their remaining picks in the draft.

The PVL Draft is expected to provide teams a chance to build depth and secure young talent as the league continues to expand its professional player pool.