No surprises in PVL Rookie Draft as Lamina, Pepito go 1-2

2026 PVL Rookie Draft class. –PVL PHOTO

A setter and a libero headlined the 2026 Draft class of the PVL on Wednesday night, with Lams Lamina being picked first overall by Galeries Tower and Detdet Pepito going second as picked by Capital1.

Galeries is banking on the two-time UAAP Best Setter to elevate its offense and maximize a core led by Jean Asis, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Gayle Pascual, Roselle Baliton and Erika Deloria.

“It’s really fulfilling because, wow, I was the one they chose for Galeries,” Lamina said in Filipino. “It shows the trust they have in me, and I’m very happy and grateful for that.”

Lamina enters the professional ranks with an accomplished collegiate résumé, as she also won three championships in five Finals appearances with National University. She also gained experience with Alas Pilipinas pool.

“I came from a championship team at NU, and what I can bring to Galeries is my competitiveness both on and off the court,” she said. “I want to contribute my hard work and discipline to the team.”

Meanwhile, Capital1—which acquired a lot of offense in Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos when PLDT filed for a leave of absence—took Pepito to strengthen its defense.

The former University of Santo Tomas captain and two-time UAAP Best Libero, Pepito, reunites with childhood friend and former collegiate rival Bella Belen, Capital1’s top overall selection in last year’s draft and the reigning Rookie of the Year.

“As I was walking down the red carpet, I saw Bella and started thinking back to all our memories. We’ve been teammates since elementary school, and now we’re teammates again in the PVL,” Pepito said.

Pepito is expected to bolster the Solar Spikers’ backline alongside Roma Mae Doromal and Rachel Jorvina as the franchise continues to build around recent acquisitions Gandler and Santos.

“Honestly, it’s a mix of emotions, but more than anything, I’m just grateful and thankful to God,” Pepito went on. “Playing in the PVL was something I only dreamed about before. Being the No. 2 pick comes with pressure, but I’m thankful for the opportunity, and I’ll do my best to help Capital1.”

The draft class was notably affected by the withdrawals of projected top picks Alyssa Solomon and Niña Ytang, who opted to focus on their commitments with Alas Pilipinas.

Choco Mucho drafted Far Eastern University setter Tin Ubaldo, with ZUS Coffee tapping Mapua middle blocker Alyanna Ong at No.4—the highest pick of an NCAA player in the draft’s third year.

Akari, which held the No.5 pick, opted to pass in this year’s draft. Nxled selected University of the Philippines spiker-libero Irah Jaboneta.

Jonna Perdido landed at sixth overall with the Farm Fresh Foxies, reuniting with her college coach, Kungfu Reyes, who is the assistant of Japanese Koji Tsuzurabara.

Another NCAA standout was drafted in the first round, with Perpetual Help setter Fifi Ariola joining PLDT as the seventh pick. Adamson spiker Barbie Jamili was selected by Creamline to cap the first round.