38 Aspiring Players Set Sights on PVL Draft Night Selection

A total of 38 hopefuls will await their names being called on Wednesday evening as the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Draft unfolds at Novotel Manila Araneta City.

Headlining this year's draft pool are National University's two-time UAAP Best Setter Camilla Lamina and University of Santo Tomas standout Bernadett Pepito, a two-time UAAP Best Libero.

Several prospects also boosted their stock with strong showings during the Draft Combine conducted by Valor Performance Institute, including Adamson University's Barbie Jamili and University of the East's Khy Cepada.

Jamili emerged as one of the combine's top performers, recording the fastest times in the 10-meter sprint (1.759 seconds) and the pro agility 5-10-5 drill (5.109 seconds), while also leading the hop test reactive strength index at 3.36 meters per second.

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

Far Eastern University's Tin Ubaldo will miss the draft ceremony as she remains with the Alas Pilipinas Women's pool preparing for the 2026 AVC Women's Cup in Candon City.

Among the notable UAAP players included in the final draft list are UST's Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula; University of the Philippines standouts 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 Khy Cepada, Tin Ecalla, and Kayce Balingit; Adamson's Barbie Jamili; and Ateneo's Taks Fujimoto.

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

Rounding out the draft pool are Julienne Castro of Letran; Jose Rizal University's Marianne Alona and Gayle Batara; Lyceum'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 will be required to reapply and undergo the entire draft process should they wish to enter the league in 2027. They will not be granted free-agent status after missing the official draft proceedings.

As a professional competition, the PVL prohibits amateur athletes from participating through special guest licenses, in line with Games and Amusements Board regulations.

Galeries Tower secured the coveted first overall selection after winning the draft lottery on May 25. Capital1 will pick second, followed by Choco Mucho and Akari.

Completing the first-round order are Nxled, Farm Fresh, PLDT, and Creamline.

Teams that opt to pass during the draft will automatically forfeit all of their remaining selections.