In a blockbuster move that instantly fortifies the franchise’s future, Galeries Tower selected another decorated playmaker in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Rookie Draft held Wednesday at Novotel Manila in Cubao.
With the No. 1 overall pick, the Highrisers chose former National University star setter Camilla “Lams” Lamina, who joins former national team member Julia Coronel in orchestrating Galeries’ offense, headlined by Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Jean Asis.
With several top heavy-hitting prospects such as Alyssa Solomon and Niña Ytang opting to skip the draft, the Highrisers instead anchored their rebuild on elite floor leadership. The team will bank on Lamina’s exceptional court vision and championship pedigree to steer their offense.
“For me, siyempre fulfilling kasi wow, ako yung isa sa mga napili nila ng team Galeries. It shows yung trust na ako pa talaga yung napili. Very happy and very grateful,” Lamina said.
The 24-year-old playmaker from the Lady Bulldogs boasts an impressive résumé, having led NU to three UAAP women’s volleyball titles while also collecting three Best Setter awards.
“Since I am from a champion team, which is NU, ang mabibigay ko lang at mao-offer ko sa Galeries ay kung gaano ako ka-competitive inside and outside the court at yung hard work, discipline, at yung work ethic ko,” she added.
(C) PVL Images
Capital1 followed suit by selecting former University of Santo Tomas standout libero Detdet Pepito with the second overall pick, reuniting her with longtime friend and 2025 first overall selection Bella Belen as she begins her professional career.
Pepito, a two-time UAAP Best Libero who anchored the Golden Tigresses to five consecutive Final Four appearances, is expected to bolster the Solar Spikers’ defensive core alongside Roma Mae Doromal and Rachel Jorvina.
“Actually, mixed emotions pero sobrang grateful and thankful lang talaga ako kay Lord na pinapangarap ko lang makapasok dito sa PVL and now, number two pick. Pressured, pero thankful pa rin talaga kay Lord and I will try my best to help Capital1,” Pepito said.
“Habang papunta nga ako sa red carpet, tinitignan ko siya. Nagto-throw back lang yung teammates kami since elementary. Ngayong nandito ako sa PVL, siya yung ka-teammate ko and si Pia Abbu. Sobrang happy lang and excited ako na mas may matutunan din sa kanila,” she added, referring to her reunion with best friend Bella Belen and former UST teammate Pia Abbu.
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Choco Mucho used the third overall pick to select Far Eastern University playmaker Tin Ubaldo, boosting the Flying Titans’ setter rotation which already includes Deanna Wong and Tia Andaya.
In a surprising turn, Akari passed as early as the first round, allowing Nxled to secure University of the Philippines’ all-around outside hitter Irah Jaboneta with the fifth overall pick.
Farm Fresh selected UST’s Jonna Perdido, PLDT drafted Fianne Ariola from the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, and defending All-Filipino champion Creamline used its pick to select Adamson University’s Barbie Jamili to complete the first round.
Five more teams passed in the second round, but Capital1 continued to build its roster by selecting University of the East’s Khy Cepada with the ninth overall pick. Then Galeries Tower took middle blocker Ann Asis and Farm Fresh added Ela Raagas with the 10th and 11th picks, respectively.
No selections were made in the third round, as the Solar Spikers, Highrisers, and Foxies opted to forgo their remaining picks. As a result, the 27 aspirants who were not selected will automatically become free agents and are free to sign with any PVL team of their choosing.
(C) PVL Images
