Akari made the surprising decision to pass up the opportunity to pick fifth in the first round of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Draft, becoming the first team to skip a selection and effectively ending its participation in the selection process last Wednesday night.
The decision marked a rare occurrence in the young history of the PVL Draft, as it became the first time a team elected to pass on a first-round pick since the league introduced the rookie draft two years ago.
Chargers assistant coach Eddieson Orcullo, who represented the team alongside several players during the draft, revealed that Akari had identified two prospects as potential targets.
According to Tiebreaker Times sources, those two were Tin Ubaldo, who was picked third by Choco Mucho, and Nicole Ong, who eventually landed with Farm Fresh.
However, both players were taken before Akari’s turn at sixth overall, prompting management to pass on the pick rather than select a player who did not fit its needs.
(C) PVL Images
“Actually, meron. May first and second (options). Kaso dumating lang sa point na hindi namin nakuha ‘yung dalawa, so siguro ‘yung dalawa na ‘yun talaga ang kailangan ng team namin,” said Orcullo.
“Pero dahil nga napunta dun sa naunang teams na mag-select, kaya we decided to pass na rin. Yung management, si Coach Tina (Salak), yung coaches talagang nag-usap naman kami regarding dun. So far, okay naman kami sa result,” he added.
The Chargers are now expected to lean on and maximize their current roster heading into the upcoming season, banking on continuity and internal development as they open their campaign in the PVL On Tour later this month.
“Ngayon, so far kung ano ‘yung meron kaming lineup sa roster namin, I think magiging maganda naman ‘yung takbo namin,” he said.
“Titingnan natin, siyempre, with the help of the players na talagang nandiyan naka-support sa lahat ng ginagawa natin.”
