The Premier Volleyball League reaffirmed its support for Alyssa Solomon and other Filipina volleyball players seeking overseas opportunities, emphasizing that the league has no issue with athletes opting to skip the draft to pursue international careers.
PVL President Ricky Palou addressed Solomon’s decision to bypass the league’s second-ever rookie draft, explaining that the young star remains committed to exploring professional opportunities abroad while continuing to serve the national team, Alas Pilipinas.
“First of all, Alyssa Solomon did not apply for the draft. I think she’s still bent on trying to play abroad,” said Palou during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday.
Palou, who also serves as Vice President of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation and Chairman of its National Teams Commission, reiterated the league’s stance of encouraging Filipino athletes to take advantage of international opportunities — especially when they stand to benefit both professionally and financially.
“We really do not want to stop players from playing abroad. For one, it will be good for them income-wise, and secondly, it will also help them develop. When they come back, they will be able to share what they learned with the other players that we have here,” he said.
Palou added that Solomon is currently facing a three-year ban from the Korean Volleyball Federation (KOVO) after withdrawing from the 2024 Asian Quota Draft.
However, he noted that the PNVF is actively appealing the decision, hoping for a favorable resolution that will allow Solomon to pursue a career in South Korea in the future.
The PVL has seen several of its athletes succeed abroad before returning home with valuable experience.
Among them are Jaja Santiago, Jia De Guzman, and Maddie Madayag, who played in Japan; Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Mylene Paat, and Ced Domingo, who saw action in Thailand; and MJ Phillips and Iris Tolenada, who played in South Korea.
These players have significantly boosted their respective club teams and the national team, thanks to the skills and insights gained from international competition.
De Guzman, Madayag, and Phillips are now core members of the Alas Pilipinas Women’s Pool, helping the team prepare for upcoming tournaments. Tolenada also joined the team early in their training camp to provide valuable leadership and knowledge.
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Phillips was instrumental in Petro Gazz’s championship run in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference, helping her squad dethrone powerhouse Creamline.
Meanwhile, Paat returned from her stint with Nakhon Ratchasima in Thailand and won MVP with Chery Tiggo in the Reinforced Conference, while Domingo sparked Akari’s resurgence, guiding them to back-to-back podium finishes.
(C) PVL Images
Also making her mark overseas was Creamline skipper Alyssa Valdez, who suited up for 3BB Nakornnont in Thailand and Attack Line in Taiwan. She then returned and joined the Cool Smashers, helping the franchise build the most dominant dynasty in the league with a total of 10 championships, which included the first-ever Grand Slam just last year.
(C) PVL Images
Santiago-Manabat, also a product of the Thai league, continues to shine as a vital piece of the Choco Mucho Flying Titans.
The same overseas-to-home development path applies to the Spikers’ Turf, organized by Sports Vision — the same group behind the PVL — where standouts like Bryan Bagunas, Marck Espejo, and Jau Umandal have fueled the growth of the Alas Pilipinas Men’s program following their stints in Japan, Taiwan, and Bahrain.
With more Filipino volleyball players venturing abroad and bringing back top-tier experience, the PVL remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting their growth.
Whether they excel on local courts or international stages, these athletes are part of a broader vision to raise the standard of Philippine volleyball in all aspects.
