PVL: Galeries keeping options open for top pick in Draft

Prospective top pick Alyssa Solomon during the PVL Draft Combine Day 1. Galeries hold the top pick in the Draft. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Alyssa Solomon may be the most sought-after rookie in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Draft, but Galeries coach Aying Esteban said nothing is set in stone for the No. 1 overall pick.

Esteban and his coaching staff attended the final day of the Draft Combine, which Solomon missed after participating in the first day on Thursday.

READ: Alyssa Solomon embraces PVL Draft journey amid overseas offers

Still, the Galeries coach acknowledged that Solomon’s potential and talent–sharpened during her stint with Osaka Marvelous in the Japan SV.League–make her the projected top pick ahead of Draft Night on June 3 at Novotel.

Galeries Tower on picking first in the #PVLRookieDraft.

Coach Aying Esteban also talks about the potential of Alyssa Solomon. #PVL2026 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/ZzpCxDauJK

— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) May 29, 2026

“Of course, every team is looking at her. Everybody wants her, so it’s really about who gets the chance first. She’s definitely one of the top options, but we also have to see if she fits the team, especially position-wise,” Esteban told the reporters in Filipino on Friday.

“We don’t want to waste players later on by overcrowding one position. We’re still looking at our needs per position, so honestly, we’re still undecided on who we’ll pick.”

READ: Alyssa Solomon vows to give her all if she decides PVL is her next stop

Solomon previously said she remains undecided with several overseas offers still on the table and can withdraw from the draft until the June 1 deadline.

Esteban and the High Risers are ready for every scenario.

“Of course, that’s part of the planning too. If we don’t get this player, who’s next? Everything is planned already. We wouldn’t go into the draft without preparing for different scenarios,” he said.

Esteban also stressed that Galeries is focused on addressing its roster needs, so he could have pieces to build on–not just “who’s the strongest but the best player for the role they need.”

“Until now, the coaches and management are still discussing who we really need. Honestly, there are a lot of needs for the team this season. Of course, having the first pick is a big thing, but we’re looking at what the team lacks. We need scorers, we need defenders. At the end of the day, we’ll choose the player we believe the team truly needs,” Esteban said.

“Right now, we already have players we’re targeting, but other teams are eyeing them too. We don’t know yet how many rounds we’ll maximize because Galeries doesn’t really have the biggest budget for players, but as much as possible, we’ll try to make things work.”