A night of realized dreams for the University of Santo Tomas women’s volleyball program also came with a bittersweet turn at the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Draft.
Former Golden Tigresses captain and two-time UAAP Best Libero Detdet Pepito was selected second overall by Capital1. Meanwhile, versatile outside hitter Jonna Perdido was picked sixth overall by Farm Fresh, a team that features UST women’s and girls’ volleyball program director Kungfu Reyes as an assistant coach.
However, their ever-reliable teammate Xyza Gula went undrafted, as only 11 of the 38 hopefuls heard their names called on Wednesday evening at Novotel Manila in Cubao.
Despite the unexpected outcome for the hard-hitting spiker from Tacloban, Pepito remains confident that Gula’s undeniable bravery and grit will eventually earn her a spot in the professional ranks.
“Well, huwag mawalan ng pag-asa, of course. Nandito lang kaming mga Ates niya to support her,” Pepito told Tiebreaker Times.
“For sure, may makukuha at makukuha na teams sa kanya at hopefully, kung saanman na team siya magpunta, give your best at again, nandito lang kami.”
(C) PVL Images
The bond and sisterhood forged in España runs deep, and Pepito was quick to remind Gula of how she overcame every obstacle thrown her way during her four-year run with UST.
The 5-foot-4 athletic hitter joined the Golden Tigresses in Season 85 and delivered her best performance in Season 86, when UST made a breakthrough runner-up finish. She provided valuable spark off the bench, finishing with 78 points on 71 attacks and seven aces.
Her biggest test, however, came in Season 87 when she was forced to sit out due to a displaced tailbone fracture. She returned a year later in Season 88 to help power UST to a bronze-medal finish in a highly-competitive UAAP women’s volleyball season.
“Try lang nang try. Gusto kong sabihin na proud ako palagi. Proud ako sayo, Xyza, sa pinerform mo sa UAAP, sa tapang mo, at sa pinagsamahan natin. Sobrang proud ako, nandito lang kami ni Ate Jonna [Perdido] mo para sa’yo,” Pepito shared.
Now set to enter a stacked free agency pool that includes other top UAAP talents such as UP’s Joan Monares and Heart Magsambol, Ateneo’s Taks Fujimoto, and the UE duo of Kayce Balingit and Tin Ecalla, Pepito is confident that Gula’s fearless approach will eventually catch the attention of a PVL team in need of firepower.
“Of course, yung iconic line nga ni Coach Kungfu na ‘Dalhin mo buong Tacloban sa bawat palo mo’. Ganon katapang yung bata na yon,” she shared.
“Ang laki ng tiwala ko sa kanya na mapupunta siya sa talagang mas kailangan siya ng team.”
