LIVE: PVL Rookie Draft 2026

• 38 draft aspirants banner the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft on June 3 at 7 pm. Galeries Tower High Risers own the first pick.

LIST: PVL Rookie Draft 2026 Aspirants

Lamina, Pepito headline PVL Rookie Draft minus other top prospects

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).

PVL Draft: Lams Lamina eager to prove herself in the pros

MANILA, Philippines–Lams Lamina is eager to elevate her game as the National University Lady Bulldogs setter prepares for a new journey in the Premier Volleyball League.

Lamina, projected as at least a Top 2 pick in the 2026 draft class, admitted she felt some jitters entering a “different world” as one of the 42 applicants for the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft on June 3 at Novotel.

“Honestly, it still hasn’t fully sunk in that this is really happening. That I’m now entering a different world, the pro level, adult life,” Lamina told the reporters in Filipino in the Draft Combine on Thursday at GameVille Ball Park.

“I came from a school where I spent 11 years with my teammates. That had basically been my whole life since Grade 7. So right now, I’m just really looking forward to finally playing for a professional team.”

Lams Lamina relishes her draft journey with Alyssa Solomon. #PVL2026 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/61fmGZeBlz

— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) May 28, 2026

Detdet Pepito welcomes challenge of life outside UST ahead of PVL Draft

MANILA, Philippines — Detdet Pepito is ready to step out of her comfort zone in the Premier Volleyball League after spending the past 11 years with the University of Santo Tomas.

Pepito, who had been with UST since high school, began the road to the pros as one of the 38 aspirants in the 2026 class for the PVL Draft Night on June 3 at Novotel.

“Honestly, I’m nervous because everything feels so different, even the faces I’m seeing now are new to me. But at the same time, I’m also really excited, especially since we’ve been able to train with different PVL teams,” Pepito told reporters after undergoing biometrics and drills on the first day of the Draft Combine at GameVille Ball Park.

Detdet Pepito on entering the PVL Draft. #PVL2026 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/QA2OEyiv0c

— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) May 28, 2026

“We’re getting exposed to different systems, different players, and veteran athletes. Even now, we’re already learning so much from them, so it’s been a really fun experience.”

Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter

Don't miss out on the latest news and information.