Lamina, Pepito headline PVL Rookie Draft minus other top prospects

Lams Lamina has emerged as a strong candidate to become the first overall pick in the upcoming 2026 PVL Rookie Draft.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Thirty-eight prospects will hope to hear their names called on Wednesday as the 2026 PVL Draft takes center stage at Novotel Manila Araneta City.

Leading this year’s draft class are two-time UAAP Best Setter LamsLamina of National University and two-time UAAP Best Libero Detdet Pepito of the University of Santo Tomas.

Also looking to capitalize on impressive performances at the draft combine are Adamson’s Barbie Jamili and University of the East’s Khy Cepada.

Jamili excelled in several categories, topping the 10-meter sprint with a time of 1.759 seconds, the pro agility 5-10-5 test at 5.109 seconds, and the hop test reactive strength index with 3.36 meters per second.

Meanwhile, Cepada placed second in both the 10-meter sprint (1.776 seconds) and countermovement jump (44.7 centimeters), third in the pro agility 5-10-5 test (5.133 seconds), and fifth in both the hop test reactive strength index (2.28 meters per second) and approach jump (295 centimeters).

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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 included in the final draft pool are UST’s Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula; UP’s 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; the University of the East trio of Khy Cepada, Tin Ecalla, and Kayce Balingit; Adamson’s Barbie 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.

Completing the draft pool are 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 duo Jesska Sacay and Marjorie Orpilla; and Polytechnic University of the Philippines’ Lyca Dela Peña.

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Players who withdrew from this year’s draft will need to reapply and undergo the draft process again in 2027. They will not be classified as free agents since 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 regulations set by the Games and Amusements Board.

Galeries Tower holds the No. 1 overall pick after defying the odds in the draft lottery held on May 25. It will be followed by Capital1, Choco Mucho, and Akari.

The remainder of the first-round order consists of Nxled, Farm Fresh, PLDT, and Creamline.

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