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Author: Dorothy Del Rosario

  • Rald Ricafort to receive PVL Coach of the Year honors after PLDT’s breakthrough season

    Rald Ricafort to receive PVL Coach of the Year honors after PLDT’s breakthrough season

    After steering the High Speed Hitters to a flawless championship run across the season’s first two conferences, Ricafort is set to be honored as Coach of the Year at the upcoming second PVL Press Corps Awards Night on May 30.


    The High Speed Hitters stormed through the inaugural PVL on Tour without dropping a match, securing the franchise’s first professional championship before carrying that momentum into the Invitationals. 

     

    By the end of the run, PLDT had built an impressive 15-game winning streak — a stretch that established the club as one of the league’s new standard-bearers.

     

    Ricafort’s influence extended beyond tactics. Under his leadership, PLDT evolved into one of the PVL’s most disciplined and balanced teams after previously struggling to sustain deep playoff success. 

     

    The veteran coach collected 11 total points in the Coach of the Year voting, drawing an average of 7.8 media votes and 3.2 team votes to finish ahead of former Cignal mentor Shaq Delos Santos and Sherwin Meneses of Creamline.

     

    His steady climb with the franchise became more evident throughout the season. PLDT first secured a fourth-place finish in the Reinforced Conference before capturing its first-ever bronze medal in the All-Filipino Conference, signaling that the team’s championship breakthrough was no longer a one-conference surprise but part of a larger progression.

     

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    Still, while PLDT emerged as the season’s biggest riser, the recent conference champion, Creamline Cool Smashers once again reminded the league why their dynasty continues to define the PVL era.

     

    After enduring one of the rarest dips in their dominant run, the Cool Smashers answered every question about their staying power by reclaiming the spotlight with their 11th championship. 

     

    That resilience earned Creamline its second straight Team of the Year award at the annual rites. Cool Smashers finished with 10.4 total points in the voting, 6.0 from media members, and 4.4 from team votes which is comfortably ahead of both PLDT and Cignal.

     

    For perhaps the first time in years, the Cool Smashers entered a conference without the aura of inevitability. The rest of the league had caught up considerably, with deeper rosters, stronger imports, and more organized systems challenging Creamline’s long-standing supremacy.

     

    Even with the return of stars like Bernadeth Pons, Jia de Guzman, and Jema Galanza, the road back to the top was anything but smooth. Creamline found itself pushed into multiple do-or-die situations during the 2026 All-Filipino Conference, while Cignal repeatedly threatened to break the team’s grip on the title.

     

    But when the pressure intensified, the Cool Smashers leaned on the championship composure built through years of winning.

     

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  • Alas Pilipinas’ young pair showed promising performance despite exiting the Beach Pro Tour main draw

    Alas Pilipinas’ young pair showed promising performance despite exiting the Beach Pro Tour main draw

    For Alas Pilipinas, the result at the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Nuvali Challenge may not have ended in a main draw appearance, but the performance of Sofiah Pagara and Khylem Progella told a different story—one of rapid growth, resilience, and glimpses of international potential.


    The young University of Santo Tomas duo entered the qualification rounds as underdogs but quickly proved they could compete with seasoned international pairs. 

     

    Their most notable moment came in a hard-fought battle against Hungary’s Lilla Villam and Stefania Kun, where they pushed the European side to the edge before bowing out 21-19, 21-18 at the Nuvali Sands Courts.

     

    What stood out was not just the scoreline, but how the duo responded under pressure. Down 12-16 in the second set, Pagara ignited a comeback attempt, stringing together a composed yet aggressive 4-0 run highlighted by two service aces and sharp attacking placements that leveled the set at 16-all. It briefly shifted momentum and put the Hungarian pair on alert.

     

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    However, the winners of last year’s Balikesir Futures, Villam and Kun leaned on their experience in the closing stretch, regaining control just in time to secure a place in the main draw and halt the Filipinas’ breakout run.

     

    The Philippine pair’s journey through qualification already included a breakthrough win earlier in the day, eliminating Germany’s Mareet Maidhof and Tabea Schwarz in a dramatic 21-19, 28-26 finish, with Pagara erupting for 25 points in that match alone. 

     

    That victory secured them as the lone Filipino duo to reach the second round of qualifiers.

     

    “It was very overwhelming. We learned a lot. They are experienced players from abroad, so we are very grateful that even though we fell short, we showed what we are capable of. I just really wanted to win, so I told myself I would give my best,” Pagara said. 

     

    Across the tournament, the gap in experience against global competition became evident, but so did the upside for Philippine beach volleyball. 

     

    Against Hungary, Germany, and other international teams, the young pair consistently showed they could extend rallies, adapt mid-game, and challenge higher-ranked opponents.

     

    On the men’s side, the Philippine campaign ended earlier as Alex Iraya and Alihfaisal Gampong were overpowered by Australia’s Oliver Merritt and Jed Walker, 21-7, 21-13, while Edwin Tolentino and Lerry Francisco also fell to Brazil’s Gabriel Santiago and Johann Dohmann, 21-12, 21-11.

     

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  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drops 30 as OKC ties series against Spurs in Game 2 of Western Conference Finals

    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drops 30 as OKC ties series against Spurs in Game 2 of Western Conference Finals

    The Western Conference Finals shifted momentum as the Oklahoma City Thunder responded in strong fashion, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 122-113 in Game 2 to even the series at 1-1.


    After dropping the opener, the Thunder turned to their floor general, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered in classic fashion. 

     

    He controlled the pace from start to finish, finishing with 30 points and nine assists while repeatedly breaking down San Antonio’s defense in key stretches. 

     

    His ability to generate offense both for himself and teammates proved decisive as Oklahoma City built separation in the second half.

     

    San Antonio, however, had its own star pushing the limits of the series.

     

    Victor Wembanyama delivered a dominant all-around performance with 21 points, 17 rebounds, and six assists, anchoring the Spurs on both ends of the floor and keeping them within striking distance for much of the night. 

     

    Despite his presence in the paint and playmaking impact, the Spurs were unable to fully contain Oklahoma City’s perimeter attack down the stretch.

     

    The game opened with both teams trading early blows, as Oklahoma City tried to establish tempo through transition while San Antonio slowed possessions to maximize Wembanyama’s touches inside. 

     

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    The first quarter remained tight, with neither side able to build more than a small cushion as defensive rotations held firm.

     

    By the second quarter, the Thunder began to find rhythm from the perimeter, spacing the floor better and forcing the Spurs’ defense to stretch beyond the paint. 

     

    That adjustment allowed Oklahoma City to generate cleaner driving lanes, setting up easier finishes and free throw opportunities that gradually tilted momentum.

     

    San Antonio answered with a composed stretch before halftime, leaning heavily on Wembanyama’s versatility as he facilitated offense from the high post and controlled the glass. 

    However, missed outside shots limited the Spurs’ ability to fully capitalize on stops, keeping the deficit manageable but persistent.

     

    In the final quarter, Oklahoma City’s depth and pace proved to be the difference. The Thunder’s bench provided timely scoring bursts and defensive stops that disrupted San Antonio’s late-game rhythm, while Gilgeous-Alexander continued to dictate tempo and close possessions efficiently to secure the 122-113 victory and tie the series heading into Game 3.

     

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  • Jordan Heading breaks out of slump as TNT outlast Meralco in Game 1 

    Jordan Heading breaks out of slump as TNT outlast Meralco in Game 1 

    In TNT’s hard-fought PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals Game 1, 94-89 win over the Meralco Bolts, Jordan Heading emerged as one of the defining difference-makers off the bench.

     

    Heading flipped the script on a conference-long slump by contributing 16 points while also supplying the kind of defensive effort with two rebounds and one steal. 

     

    His breakout came at a crucial moment — not as a lone scoring burst, but as part of a broader TNT adjustment that leaned on balance and timing alongside the towering presence of the team’s import, Bol Bol.

     

    With Meralco tightening its defense on Calvin Oftana and forcing possessions into more difficult looks, TNT needed another local to steady the offense and Heading was there to answer.

     

    “He’s been struggling with his shot, and his offense the whole conference, but we’ve been very happy with the way he’s been playing defense,” said head coach Chot Reyes.

     

    “He’s putting in the effort there and we talk about it in our team, there are many ways to impact the game not just offensively. Today he had some key defensive stops that he’s been doing the whole conference. When his offense is clicking as well that’s a big plus for us,” the veteran coach added.

     

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    What made Heading’s performance more valuable was its timing. His contributions helped stabilize TNT’s attack whenever Meralco threatened to turn defensive pressure into momentum, allowing the Tropang 5G to maintain control in a game that tightened late before they eventually closed it out.

     

    TNT’s structure in the semifinals opener wasn’t built on one dominant run alone. Instead, it was a collection of responses.

     

    “All five of us are making really big-time plays and just doing what we need to do, and go to Bol down the stretch, and he’s gonna deliver,” Heading said.

     

    Heading’s emergence became the release valve that kept the offense from stalling completely during key stretches.

     

    “They did a great job defending Calvin and we all knew how good (Chris) Newsome is on defense,” coach Reyes said.

     

    “So, it was important that we have another guy stepping up and normally that’s either Ray (Pogoy), Jayson (Castro) and tonight, Jordan (Heading). When we get that scorer, it really helps our offense. It really helps the flow of our game,” he added. 

     

    Beyond scoring, Heading emphasized that his role in the series extends into areas that often go unnoticed, particularly on the defensive end, where TNT’s identity against Meralco has historically been defined.

     

    “They’re really good at executing off the ball so we have to do a better job on the defensive end,” Heading said.

     

    In a playoff game decided by small margins, Heading’s two-way contribution became one of those subtle but decisive edges, helping TNT survive Meralco’s push and seize a 1-0 lead in the series.

     

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  • TNT escapes Meralco in tight finish to open semifinals with Game 1 win 

    TNT escapes Meralco in tight finish to open semifinals with Game 1 win 

    TNT Tropang 5G’s slow and uneven run through the elimination round suddenly feels like a distant memory. What once looked like a team still searching for rhythm is now beginning to resemble the version head coach Chot Reyes envisioned from the start.


    That transformation was on full display Wednesday night at the Ynares Center Antipolo, where TNT leaned on the performance of Bol Bol and the local core to escape Meralco, 94-89, and seize Game 1 of their PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series.

     

    For much of the conference, TNT struggled to build continuity despite carrying arguably the most talented import in the tournament. Injuries repeatedly disrupted the Tropang 5G’s rotations, preventing the defending champions from establishing consistency during their up-and-down 6-6 elimination campaign.

     

    But in the semifinals, TNT is finally beginning to look whole. Bol Bol delivered another dominant outing, by anchoring both ends of the floor with 37 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, and six blocks.

     

    After Meralco threatened to erase TNT’s cushion in the closing minute, the towering import responded with a tough layup with 56.3 seconds remaining — a basket that ultimately sealed the five-point victory and silenced the Bolts’ final rally.

     

    The Tropang 5G appeared to take control after unleashing a decisive 14-2 run midway through the fourth quarter, turning a tense contest into what briefly looked like a comfortable finish. Meralco, however, refused to fold and mounted one last push behind its relentless energy and hustle plays.

     

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    Roger Pogoy provided the much-needed offensive support with 21 points, nine rebounds, and two assists, while Jordan Heading, one of the key players sidelined at various points in the eliminations — added 16 points and two rebounds. Calvin Oftana also imposed his presence with a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double.

     

    Their contributions underscored what Reyes believes is finally changing for TNT.

     

    “We didn’t have a fully healthy Roger Pogoy, Jordan missed a couple of games, we missed Brandon [Ganuelas-Rosser] for a couple of games, so we couldn’t put out the lineup we wanted on a consistent basis,” Reyes said.

     

    “Fortunately, as the eliminations wound down, we got Roger back 100 percent, and what you’re seeing now are the combinations that we wanted,” he added.

     

    While TNT showcased its growing chemistry, Meralco proved it remains more than capable of turning the series into a grind.

     

    Marvin Jones paced the Bolts with 22 points and 14 rebounds, while Kier Quinto continued his efficient play with 17 points on an impressive 6-of-9 shooting clip. CJ Cansino and Chris Newsome chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively, keeping Meralco within striking distance until the final seconds.

     

    But beyond the numbers, Reyes emphasized that TNT’s victory came from matching Meralco’s trademark intensity.

     

    “The foundation of our game plan is to not allow Meralco to outwork us and to win the efforts stats, so diving for the loose ball, extra effort, deflection, setting good screens,” TNT head coach Reyes said.

     

    TNT now carries both momentum and confidence heading into Game 2 on Friday, May 22, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

     

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  • Shaq Delos Santos set to lead Alas Pilipinas in 2026 AVC Women’s Cup

    Shaq Delos Santos set to lead Alas Pilipinas in 2026 AVC Women’s Cup

    Weeks before the tournament begins in Candon City, the Alas Pilipinas finds itself adjusting not only to a reshuffled player pool but also to a sudden coaching change after Thai tactician Tai Bundit was sidelined following an accident in Bangkok that required ankle surgery.


    In response, the Philippine National Volleyball Federation turned to a familiar figure to stabilize the program.

     

    PNVF president Tony Boy Liao confirmed that Shaq Delos Santos has been appointed interim head coach of Alas Pilipinas Women for the AVC Women’s Cup scheduled from June 6 to 14 in Candon City, Ilocos Sur.

     

    The assignment places Delos Santos back in charge of the national team under circumstances far different from his previous stint.

     

    From 2018 to 2021, Delos Santos handled the women’s national squad in both the Southeast Asian Games and Asian Games, helping guide the program during a rebuilding period. Now, he returns at another crucial transition point for Philippine volleyball — this time tasked with holding together a roster still searching for stability weeks before international competition.

     

    Alas Pilipinas Women has recently dealt with multiple player withdrawals and roster uncertainty, forcing the federation to rebuild much of its available pool ahead of the AVC Women’s Cup. Several established national team players have either declined invitations or prioritized recovery following a grueling collegiate and club season.

     

    Still, the federation believes Delos Santos’ familiarity with both local volleyball culture and national team dynamics makes him the ideal bridge while Bundit recovers.

     

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    The veteran coach will not be alone in steering the squad. Multi-titled PVL coach Sherwin Meneses and JP Yude will remain part of the coaching staff to support the national team during Bundit’s absence.

     

    The AVC Women’s Cup was originally expected to mark the beginning of a new era under Bundit after he officially took over the program earlier this year following the departure of Jorge de Brito. However, those plans were temporarily interrupted after Bundit suffered an ankle injury in a scooter accident in Bangkok, with reports estimating a recovery period of two to three months.

     

    Despite the challenges, the national team has continued to move forward with preparations.

     

    Recent reports also revealed that several players have already begun attending Alas Pilipinas training sessions, including veteran star Alyssa Valdez, who reportedly expressed willingness to help the program amid the team’s current transition phase.

     

    For Delos Santos, the assignment is less about long-term control and more about restoring structure during an unstable moment for the national team.

     

    With a short preparation window, an evolving roster, and mounting expectations ahead of a home tournament, Alas Pilipinas Women now leans on familiarity and experience as it attempts to regroup before returning to the international stage.

     

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  • NU Lady Bulldogs veterans put professional dreams on hold, return for one last championship run in Season 89

    NU Lady Bulldogs veterans put professional dreams on hold, return for one last championship run in Season 89

    The silver medal finish in UAAP Season 88 could have easily marked the end of an era for the NU Lady Bulldogs.


    Instead, it became the reason to stay. After falling short in another championship campaign, National University’s veteran stars have decided to delay their professional ambitions and return for one final season, keeping intact the core that has helped define the program’s winning culture in recent years.

     

    Veterans Vange Alinsug, Shaira Jardio, Cham Maaya, Alexa Mata, and Myrtle Escanlar have all committed to return for UAAP Season 89, giving NU one more opportunity to reclaim the crown before the team eventually transitions into a new era.

     

    Among the biggest developments was the official return of Alinsug.

     

    Following the Season 88 finals, uncertainty surrounded the future of the veteran captain after she previously responded with “We’ll see, we’ll see” when asked whether she would stay for another year or begin her professional career.

     

    Alinsug will return to lead the Lady Bulldogs one final time as NU attempts to turn a painful silver-medal finish into motivation for redemption next season.

     

    For reigning Season 88 Best Libero Jardio, meanwhile, the decision to stay was never complicated.

     

    “I stayed po dahil mahal ko ang NU community at gusto ko na mapag-champion namin yung last playing year namin,” she said.

     

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    Despite finally earning individual recognition as the league’s top libero, Jardio revealed that personal awards never became her priority throughout the season.

     

    “Hindi ko po kasi main goal yung award sa season na po to kasi yung main goal ko po talaga is yung championship,” the 21-year-old libero added.

     

    The decision of NU’s veterans to return together reflects something deeper than simply extending their collegiate careers. Rather than leave with unanswered questions and unfinished goals, the core group chose to chase one final opportunity side by side.

     

    Their return also stabilizes a program preparing for eventual transition as NU built its success around continuity, system, and culture, and bringing back its experienced leaders allows the Lady Bulldogs to remain among the top championship contenders despite the gradual departure of players from its dominant years.

     

    “Siguro reward ko nalang din sa sarili ko po ’yon at mas lalo ko pa po gagalingan sa last playing year ko po para sa team at makapag-championship po ulit,” Jardio added.

     

    While most of NU’s veteran core chose to stay, setter Lams Lamina officially closed her collegiate chapter after exhausting her eligibility and is now expected to become one of the notable names in the upcoming 2026 PVL Rookie Draft.

     

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  • Philippine Sports Commission grassroots initiative breaks barriers, making golf accessible to all Filipino youth 

    Philippine Sports Commission grassroots initiative breaks barriers, making golf accessible to all Filipino youth 

    The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), in partnership with the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP), officially launched its grassroots initiative “Fairways to the Future”, signaling a nationwide push to develop young Filipino golfing talent from the ground up.


    At the center of the program is a clear goal, to remove barriers that have historically kept golf out of reach for many Filipino youth.

     

    Under the initiative, 20 partner golf clubs across the country will open their doors to players aged 18 and below, including students from public schools, out-of-school youth, and children of caddies and maintenance workers.

     

    The launch was marked by a press conference and an 18-hole tournament featuring promising young Filipino golfers, alongside key stakeholders from participating clubs who will help implement the program moving forward.

     

    PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio, who is leading the initiative with NGAP head Al Panlilio, emphasized that the program is about changing long-held perceptions of the sport.

     

    “This program will prove that golf is for everyone. No barriers. Walang hadlang,” Gregorio said.

     

    Gregorio also challenged the long-standing notion that golf is reserved only for elite circles.

     

    “We have long accepted the narrative that golf is exclusive, confined strictly to private clubs, wealthy communities, and elite circles. We all know that is not true. So today, alongside NGAP, the Philippine Sports Commission is here to break that barrier, quote-unquote barrier, down once and for all,” he said.

     

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    Beyond access, the program is designed to build a long-term talent pipeline that could eventually produce international-level Filipino golfers. It also forms part of a wider PSC vision of expanding grassroots development programs across multiple sports disciplines.

     

    For Gregorio, the effort is about opportunity as much as competition.

     

    “That is why we call it ‘Fairway to the Future.’ It should serve as a pathway for children who want to play golf but do not have the means. We believe that there’s talent outside of the exclusive courses. Hindi lang pang mayaman ang golf. Golf is for everyone,” Gregorio explained.

     

    The initiative will also maximize the use of public and military-linked golf facilities, including courses in Intramuros, Villamor Air Base, Camp Aguinaldo, and the Philippine Navy, along with several others nationwide, all opening their doors to young golfers.

     

    The nationwide rollout of “Fairways to the Future” is set to begin next month, marking what organizers hope will be a turning point in how golf is introduced, taught, and developed across the Philippines.

     

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  • NBA Round up: New York Knicks stun Cavaliers in overtime thriller to grab Game 1 of Eastern Conference Finals 

    NBA Round up: New York Knicks stun Cavaliers in overtime thriller to grab Game 1 of Eastern Conference Finals 

    The New York Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 115-104, in a thrilling overtime match to open the Eastern Conference Finals, turning a near-collapse into one of the franchise’s biggest playoff comebacks in recent years.

     

    Inside a roaring Madison Square Garden, the Knicks erased a 22-point second-half deficit and overwhelmed Cleveland late behind another masterclass from Jalen Brunson, who delivered 38 points, six assists, and three steals in the Game 1 victory.

     

    The result immediately added a historic twist to the NBA postseason. For the first time in league history, both Game 1 matchups of the Eastern and Western Conference Finals went into overtime in the same year.

     

    For much of the night, however, it looked like the Cavaliers were headed toward stealing home-court advantage.

     

    Donovan Mitchell controlled the pace early and sparked Cleveland’s dominance with 29 points and six steals, helping the Cavaliers build a commanding lead through aggressive defense and fast-break execution.

     

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    Knicks struggled to find rhythm offensively in the first half as Cleveland repeatedly disrupted passing lanes and forced turnovers. But the Knicks slowly regained control once Brunson began attacking more aggressively in the second half.

     

    What started as isolated scoring bursts eventually became a complete momentum shift. The Knicks chipped away at the lead while the atmosphere inside Madison Square Garden grew louder with every defensive stop. By the closing minutes of regulation, Cleveland’s once-comfortable advantage had disappeared completely.

     

    The Knicks carried that momentum into overtime and never looked back. The squad dominated the extra period with tougher defense while Cleveland struggled to recover after letting the game slip away late in regulation.

     

    Another important development for New York came through the return of OG Anunoby, who rejoined the lineup after missing time due to a hamstring injury. His defensive presence helped stabilize the Knicks against Cleveland’s explosive backcourt attack.

     

    Still, the Cavaliers showed throughout the first three quarters that they are fully capable of controlling stretches against New York. That may ultimately be what makes the ending more painful heading into Game 2.

     

    Blowing a 22-point lead on the road in the conference finals can quickly change the emotional tone of a series, especially against a team growing increasingly confident behind Brunson’s leadership.

     

    For the Knicks, though, the comeback served as another reminder of what has defined their postseason run. As long as Brunson is orchestrating the offense, New York believes no deficit is too large and no playoff moment is too overwhelming.

     

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  • PVL Draft Lottery set to shake up the league again in its third annual draw 

    PVL Draft Lottery set to shake up the league again in its third annual draw 

    The Premier Volleyball League’s draft lottery has quietly evolved into one of the most important dates of the offseason because it could reshape the future of struggling franchises in a matter of minutes.


    Set for May 25 ahead of the league’s Rookie Draft in June, the annual event once again places the spotlight on the teams at the bottom of the standings, all hoping fortune swings their way in a year expected to feature one of the deepest rookie pools yet.

     

    Unlike the NBA, where 14 non-playoff teams enter the lottery, the PVL keeps the field limited. Only the four teams with the lowest weighted records across all conferences from the previous season are eligible for the lottery draw, making every losing stretch from the past year carry long-term consequences.

     

    The team with the worst weighted record receives the biggest advantage with a 40-percent chance of securing the No. 1 overall pick. The next teams receive 30 percent, 20 percent, and 10 percent odds respectively. 

     

    Inside the lottery bowl, that translates to four balls for the lowest-ranked team, followed by three, two, and one. Picks No. 5 to No. 9 are already fixed based on weighted standings, leaving the lottery itself to determine only the top four selections.

     

    The system was introduced in 2024 when the PVL launched its rookie draft. It was designed to prevent automatic rewards for the league’s weakest teams while still giving them better chances to rebuild.

     

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    In the inaugural lottery, the process followed expectations almost perfectly. ZUS Coffee entered with the worst overall record and secured the No. 1 pick, while Capital1, Galeries Tower, and Farm Fresh followed in order.

     

    But the following year proved how quickly odds can collapse once the draw begins. Capital1 overcame only a 30-percent chance to leap to the top selection, while Nxled despite owning the highest probability and four balls in the draw — slid to No. 4 overall.

     

    That unpredictability is precisely why the event has become compelling for fans and front offices alike. The system rewards struggling teams without guaranteeing salvation, creating tension before a single rookie even steps onto a professional court.

     

    This year’s lottery may also carry added complications. Pending league confirmation, the formula for weighted rankings could still change depending on whether results from the PVL on Tour and Invitational tournaments are included in the computation. The exits of Cignal HD Spikers and Petro Gazz Angels could also affect how standings and probabilities are recalculated among the remaining nine squads.

     

    Beyond the lottery itself, much of the excitement comes from the names expected to headline the 2026 rookie class.

     

    Several collegiate standouts from the UAAP and NCAA have already expressed willingness to turn professional, giving teams even more reason to chase the top pick. 

     

    Among the most anticipated prospects are Detdet Pepito of the UST Golden Tigresses, veteran setter Lams Lamina from the NU Lady Bulldogs, and four-time UAAP Best Middle Blocker Nina Ytang of the UP Fighting Maroons.

     

    With elite collegiate stars preparing for the next step and rebuilding PVL teams desperate for franchise-changing talent, the draft lottery has become more than an offseason formality.

     

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