Alyssa Solomon embraces PVL Draft journey amid overseas offers

Aspirant Alyssa Solomon during the PVL Draft Combine Day 1. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Although her decision to enter the Premier Volleyball League is not final yet, Alyssa Solomon relished the opportunity to be part of the 2026 Draft Class and vowed to share the lessons she learned in Japan.

Solomon headlined the 42 aspirants who went through drills and biometrics on the first day of the Draft Combine on Thursday at GameVille Ball Park.

Hustle and Groove, Solomon’s management, previously told the Inquirer that the 6-foot-1 opposite spiker is still weighing international offers, with PVL draftees allowed to withdraw until June 1.

Solomon politely declined to discuss the overseas opportunities but remained grateful to be part of this year’s class alongside her National University Lady Bulldogs teammate Lams Lamina.

Egay in the #PVLRookieDraft

Alyssa Solomon talks about her entry to the 2026 Draft Class. #PVL2026 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/WeU8qIipnX

— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) May 28, 2026

“Honestly, I didn’t rush the decision. I spent the past few months really thinking about it carefully. The decision still wasn’t fully firm before, but we’ll see,” Solomon told the reporters in Filipino. “I’m still thankful to be here now and to have the opportunity to join the draft.”

“I’m happy because I get to meet different players from other schools, and we also get to bond with each other. We’ve been talking about what happened to us over the past year and just catching up in general,” she added.

“It’s really fun having Lams here, too. We talk about our plans and also about what happened with NU recently. Most of the time, it’s really just casual conversations and bonding.”

If she pushes through with the Draft Night on June 3, Solomon said she hopes to bring the discipline and work ethic she developed during her rookie season in Japan’s SV.League, where she helped Osaka Marvelous finish runner-up.

“Honestly, I just want to bring everything I learned from Japan. I want to give my all every day in training and in games,” Solomon said.

“You really see how hard the Japanese players work. You can see how they throw their bodies to the floor and never let the ball drop easily. Seeing that inspired me because I realized maybe I could also do the same. What I really learned most from the experience was the value of hard work.”

Galeries won the lottery and will pick the first overall pick of this year’s draft, followed by Capital1, Choco Mucho, and ZUS Coffee.