Galeries Tower has earned a golden opportunity to fast-track its journey toward contention in the Premier Volleyball League after securing the first overall pick in the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft on Monday.
After the league, organized by Sports Vision, released the list of 42 applicants for the June 3 draft at Novotel Manila Araneta City, attention quickly turned to top prospect Alyssa Solomon.
Solomon, a 6-foot-1 opposite spiker from National University, opted to skip last year’s draft after signing with Osaka in SV.League, Japan’s highest level of women’s volleyball.
While playing in Japan, Solomon further developed her game and helped the Marvelous finish with a silver medal after falling to the Saga Hisamitsu Spirings in the best-of-three Finals last April.
Jean Asis, last year’s second overall pick and Galeries Tower’s representative in the Draft Lottery, shared her firsthand impression of Solomon during a training stint with the Highrisers ahead of the draft.
“Nung nag-training siya sa amin, magaan siya kasama sa loob ng court. Kasi alam mong maaasahan mo siya sa game or for any competitions na volleyball,” said Asis.
“So, depende talaga sa coaches kung sino ang kukunin. Kung siya naman, okay din.”
The 5-foot-10 middle blocker also expressed gratitude after 2025 PVL On Tour Finals MVP Mika Reyes revealed the Galeries Tower logo on the board, signaling the franchise’s top selection.
For Asis, the moment marked a major breakthrough for the Highrisers, who now have the privilege of choosing first among all 42 aspirants.
“Super happy ako kasi alam mo ’yon, kami ’yung nabigyan ng chance na pumili ng una sa draft pick. Kasi iba yung feeling na kayo yung nauuna, eh, kasi may choice talaga kayo. yun, happy ako for the team,” she said.
Whether it is Solomon or other top prospects such as setter Camilla Lamina, middle blocker Niña Ytang, and libero Detdet Libero, Asis believes the selection will be crucial in helping the Highrisers climb out of the cellar.
(C) PVL Images
“Na-e-excite naman ako kahit sino yung maka-team ko, as long as na makaka-help talaga siya sa team. Yun talaga naman, yung nilu-look forward ko. Kahit sino yung piliin ng coaches, as long as na alam mo yun, willing siya na i-help yung team para mas umangat kami. Wala akong masasabi, basta masaya ako kung sino man siya,” said Asis.
Galeries Tower overhauled its roster ahead of the 2026 season, retaining only four players in Asis, Julia Coronel, Roselle Baliton, and Winnie Bedaña.
The Highrisers showed early signs of promise with two wins last conference, and the addition of the top pick is expected to provide a major boost.
“Siguro, i-maintain namin yung culture na anong meron sa amin. Siguro may addition lang talaga sa players pero… Ayun lang, i-maintain namin siya,” said Asis.
“Siguro, ma-adapt din naman siguro ng bagong player yung culture na meron yung Galeries na binibuild namin ngayon.”
