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Category: Volleyball

  • Nine PNVF executive board members withdraw support for president Tonyboy Liao amid Philippine volleyball crisis

    Nine PNVF executive board members withdraw support for president Tonyboy Liao amid Philippine volleyball crisis

    Philippine volleyball has been thrust into a period of uncertainty following a developing governance controversy involving the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), after the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) imposed a suspension over what it described as “serious governance concerns” and “multiple purported violations of the FIVB Code of Ethics.”

     

    The FIVB issued the suspension on May 29, a move that immediately placed Philippine volleyball’s international standing under scrutiny. Since then, little formal progress has been publicly disclosed regarding the resolution of the issues raised, leaving stakeholders, athletes, and supporters awaiting clarity on the sport’s administrative direction.

     

    The situation escalated further as a majority of the PNVF Executive Board reportedly withdrew its support for federation president Ramon “Tonyboy” Liao, citing a widespread loss of trust and confidence in leadership and governance practices.

     

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    In a significant development, nine members of the PNVF Executive Board have formally expressed their withdrawal of support. These include Yul Benosa (Vice-President and Chairman of the Refereeing and Rules of the Game Commission), Arnel Hajan (Chairman of the Executive Board and Development Commission), Rustico Camangian (Secretary-General), Roger Banzuela (Auditor and Chairman of the Membership Commission), Sherwin Maganda (Board Member and Chairman of the Coaches’ Commission), Fr. Victor Calvo (Board Member), Danilo Cong-o (Board Member), Maricor Socorro Calleja-Uy (Board Member), and Edward Lee (Board Member).

     

    The group emphasized that their decision stemmed from mounting concerns over leadership direction, accountability, and transparency within the organization.

    “The Majority of the Executive Board can no longer ignore the public outcry arising from persistent concerns regarding leadership, inclusivity, good governance, and accountability. This Vote of No Confidence is a reflection of that widespread loss of trust and confidence and the urgent need to restore credibility with the Federation. Our sport deserves leadership that unites stakeholders, promotes transparency, embraces accountability, advocates inclusivity, practices good governance and prioritizes the interests of athletes above all else,” the statement read.

     

    Their collective position marks one of the most significant internal fractures within the federation in recent years, raising questions about the immediate governance structure and the long-term direction of the sport in the country.

     

    The unfolding situation has also drawn the attention of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), which is reportedly expected to address the matter during its upcoming General Assembly in June. Sources indicate that a possible suspension or further action involving the PNVF may be placed on the agenda, a move that could have far-reaching implications for the country’s international volleyball participation and administrative recognition.

     

    Should additional sanctions or interventions be imposed, the Philippines may face complications in fielding teams in upcoming international competitions, particularly with major tournaments scheduled to be hosted on home soil. This raises added pressure on stakeholders to resolve internal disputes swiftly in order to avoid disruptions to athlete preparation and international commitments.

     

    Despite the administrative turmoil, volleyball in the Philippines continues to enjoy strong public support and steady growth at both grassroots and professional levels. However, the current governance crisis now places the sport at a critical juncture, where administrative stability and international compliance are as crucial as on-court performance.

     

    As developments continue to unfold, Philippine volleyball stands at a crossroads—balancing urgent governance reforms with the need to protect the integrity of its national teams and preserve its standing within the international volleyball community.

     

     

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  • Alas Pilipinas opens new chapter at AVC Nations Cup amid coaching changes, fresh faces 

    Alas Pilipinas opens new chapter at AVC Nations Cup amid coaching changes, fresh faces 

    Alas Pilipinas enters the 2026 AVC Women’s Nations Cup carrying far different circumstances from the squad that captured the attention of Asian volleyball over the past two years.

     

    When the Philippines opens its campaign against Uzbekistan on Saturday at the Candon City Arena, it will do so with a revamped roster, a new coaching staff, and a renewed focus on developing the next wave of national team talent.

     

    The tournament, scheduled from June 6 to 14 in Candon City, serves as the Philippines’ first major international assignment since a turbulent offseason that reshaped the women’s program.

     

    At the center of those changes is newly appointed head coach Shaq Delos Santos, who takes over national team duties after a series of developments altered the program’s direction.

     

    Former head coach Jorge Souza de Brito has been involved in an ongoing dispute with the Philippine National Volleyball Federation, while longtime consultant Tai Bundit has been unable to actively lead preparations after being involved in a road accident earlier this year.

     

    The coaching transition comes at a time when many of the players who formed the core of the national team’s resurgence have opted to sit out this tournament.

     

    Absent from the roster are several familiar faces who represented the Philippines in recent AVC competitions and the Southeast Asian Games, including Bella Belen, Angel Canino, Jia De Guzman, Fifi Sharma, and other key members of the squad that helped elevate Alas Pilipinas’ standing in Asia.

     

    Their absence has opened the door for a different-looking national team—one that blends experienced veterans with some of the country’s most promising collegiate stars.

     

    Leading the veterans’ group is Alyssa Valdez, whose return provides leadership and experience to a youthful lineup. Valdez’s inclusion adds familiarity to a roster that features several players still transitioning from the collegiate ranks to the international stage.

     

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    The selection process for this AVC campaign leaned heavily on player availability, ongoing club commitments, health considerations, and long-term national team planning. With several established stars resting or unavailable, the coaching staff turned to emerging talents from the collegiate scene and younger prospects who now have an opportunity to prove they belong on the continental stage.

     

    That makes the Nations Cup as much a developmental tournament as it is a competition for results.

     

    The challenge will be immediate.

     

    The Philippines was drawn into Pool A alongside Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Australia, and Uzbekistan, creating one of the tournament’s more competitive groups.

     

    Opening against Uzbekistan presents an important opportunity for Alas Pilipinas to establish momentum before facing the heavier favorites later in the preliminary round.

     

    For Delos Santos and his squad, however, success may be measured by more than wins and losses.

     

    The Nations Cup offers a glimpse into the program’s future—a chance to evaluate new combinations, accelerate the development of younger players, and maintain the progress that Philippine volleyball has worked hard to achieve over the past several years.

     

    As a new-look Alas Pilipinas takes the floor in Ilocos Sur, the focus shifts from the stars who helped build the program to the players now tasked with carrying it forward.

     

     

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  • Detdet Pepito ready for next chapter with Capital1 after lifelong PVL dream comes true

    Detdet Pepito ready for next chapter with Capital1 after lifelong PVL dream comes true

    Long before Detdet Pepito became one of the most decorated liberos in UAAP history, she was simply a young girl sitting on the sidelines, watching her older sisters play the sport she would eventually make her own.

     

    Years before the bright lights of the Premier Volleyball League and long before she became a household name at the University of Santo Tomas, Pepito’s first connection to volleyball came through family.

     

    Her sisters, Marge and MJ, were already competing at a high level for San Sebastian College in the NCAA during the late 2000s. While they battled on the court, their youngest sibling watched from afar, unknowingly planting the seeds for a journey that would one day bring her to the professional ranks.

     

    That dream officially became reality on draft night.

     

    Selected by Capital1 as one of the top picks in the 2026 PVL Draft, Pepito now finds herself stepping into the very league she once only imagined reaching.

     

    “I’m really grateful because this is a huge opportunity. During my final playing year, making it to the PVL was one of my main goals. That’s why I gave my best every game to prepare for this draft,” said Pepito.

     

    The road to that moment was anything but easy.

     

    Pepito built her reputation through years of consistency, discipline, and relentless defensive work. From her days representing UST in high school to becoming the heart of the Golden Tigresses’ floor defense in college, she established herself as one of the country’s premier liberos.

     

    Her collection of individual awards only reinforced that status, but behind every accolade was a dream that remained unchanged since childhood — earning a place in the country’s top professional league.

     

    For Marge, seeing her younger sister reach that milestone carried special meaning.

     

    “She grew up watching us play and saw our journey in the sport. She got inspired by what we were doing, and from there, volleyball became a big part of her life. I’m very happy that she has made it all the way to the PVL,” Marge said.

     

    Now Pepito joins a Capital1 team that suddenly finds itself among the most intriguing squads in the league.

     

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    The Solar Spikers already feature reigning Rookie of the Year Bella Belen, one of Pepito’s closest friends dating back to their elementary school days. The franchise also strengthened its roster by adding former Cignal stars Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos, creating a core filled with proven winners and award-winning talents.

     

    For Pepito, joining such a loaded lineup only added to the excitement.

     

    “When I heard there were already three MVPs on the team, I thought, ‘Wow, this team is really strong.’ When my name was called, it definitely added some pressure, but I’m more excited than anything,” Pepito said.

     

    “I know I’ll learn a lot from them, and hopefully we can build chemistry quickly since PVL On Tour is coming up. I’ll just keep giving my best.”

     

    While individual recognition helped define her collegiate career, Pepito enters the professional ranks with a different challenge ahead.

     

    Instead of carrying the expectations of being UST’s defensive anchor, she now joins a team with championship aspirations and a roster full of players expected to compete immediately.

     

    Her role may be different, but the approach remains the same.

     

    Pepito plans to bring the leadership, composure, and defensive stability that made her one of the UAAP’s most reliable players while adapting quickly to the system of head coach Jorge Souza de Brito.

     

    And just like the young girl who once watched her sisters chase their volleyball dreams, she is allowing herself to dream again.

     

    “Mangangarap kami, siyempre, na hopefully, sa amin din mapunta ‘yung championship,” Pepito said.

     

    This time, however, the dream is no longer about simply reaching the PVL.

     

    It’s about helping bring a title to Capital1 and writing the next chapter of a volleyball journey that started years ago on the sidelines.

     

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  • Khy Cepada’s PVL dream continues with powerhouse Capital1 squad 

    Khy Cepada’s PVL dream continues with powerhouse Capital1 squad 

    For years, Khy Cepada watched Bella Belen from afar as one of the PVL stars she admired most. Now, the former University of the East standout is preparing to share the same court and team with her idol after being selected by Capital1 in the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft.


    In a draft class where only 11 aspirants heard their names called, Cepada emerged as one of the fortunate few, going ninth overall to the Solar Spikers in the second round.

     

    What made the moment unforgettable was realizing she would be joining a franchise that has quickly transformed itself into one of the league’s most talent-loaded teams.

     

    “Yung PVL idol ko po ngayon is si Ate Bella po, so parang sabi ko po, hala, nung shine-shake ko po yung hand niya doon sa stage, parang sabi ko, ‘Oh my God, totoo ba ’to?’ So yun po, parang na-shock po talaga ako. Parang nothing but gratitude po sa Capital1 kasi na-pick po nila ako,” Cepada said.

     

    For the 22-year-old outside hitter, draft day was filled with uncertainty. Despite an impressive showing during the Draft Combine, she admitted she did not expect her name to be called as early as the second round.

     

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    Instead, she found herself becoming part of a franchise that has been one of the busiest teams in the offseason.

     

    “Very excited po na maka-training po sa kanila, makalaro yung ibang teams and ma-represent po yung Capital1, kasi hindi ko po talaga ini-expect na matatawag po talaga yung pangalan ko agad this second round. Very happy po sobra,” she said.

     

    Capital1’s roster makeover has positioned the team as one of the league’s emerging contenders. Alongside Cepada, the Solar Spikers selected former University of Santo Tomas libero Detdet Pepito with the second overall pick. 

     

    The team also strengthened its core by acquiring former league MVPs Erika Santos and Vanie Gandler from the now-defunct Cignal squad.

     

    Veterans Pauline Gaston, Pia Abbu, and Roma Mae Doromal further bolster a lineup that suddenly boasts experience and star power.

     

    For Cepada, however, the challenge is not getting overwhelmed by the names around her but finding ways to contribute.

     

    “Palagi ko pong sinasabi lalaban po ako, magiging mas palaban pa po ako, kasi sila ‘yung kasama ko pa sa lineup si Ate Belle, ate Vanie (Gandler), so laban pa rin.”

     

    That fighting mindset has defined much of her volleyball journey. Before entering the professional ranks, Cepada carried the responsibility of leading the UE Lady Warriors through one of the program’s most difficult stretches. 

     

    While the team endured back-to-back winless UAAP campaigns to close her collegiate career, Cepada continued to produce individually, finishing as Season 88’s 12th Best Scorer with 171 points built on 153 attacks, 14 aces, and four blocks.

     

    Those numbers may not have translated into victories, but they showcased the resilience that kept her among the league’s most productive hitters despite difficult circumstances.

     

    The transition from collegiate leader to rookie role player will not be easy, but the former Lady Warrior believes the lessons learned during UE’s toughest years have prepared her for the next challenge.

     

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  • Joan Monares stays the course after PVL Draft snub, trusts UP-built resilience 

    Joan Monares stays the course after PVL Draft snub, trusts UP-built resilience 

    For many aspiring professional volleyball players, draft night serves as the finish line of years of sacrifice.

     

    For Joan Monares, it may simply be another chapter in a journey that has rarely followed the easiest path.

     

    The former University of the Philippines captain left the 2026 PVL Draft without hearing her name called among the 38 hopefuls gathered at Novotel Manila in Cubao. While 11 players officially began their professional careers, Monares found herself in unfamiliar territory — not selected, but far from defeated.

     

    If there was one athlete in the draft pool equipped to handle disappointment, it was the player whose entire collegiate career was built on enduring uncertainty.

     

    Representing UP in the UAAP meant surviving years of rebuilding, adapting to multiple coaching changes, and continuing to believe even when victories were difficult to come by. Those experiences shaped Monares into more than just a volleyball player. They taught her how to stay grounded when things did not go according to plan.

     

    “If yung goal mo is to gain more experience, wala ka talagang talo. For UP, I am just really grateful and thankful that I got to experience everything. UP made me really strong, patient, and very resilient,” Monares told Tiebreaker Times.

     

    “I know there’s still hope for all of us, for all of us na hindi na-draft tonight.”

     

    The statement reflected the perspective of someone who understands that progress is not always measured by immediate rewards.

     

    During her years with the Fighting Maroons, Monares witnessed the program gradually climb from the lower half of the standings into a team capable of threatening for a Final Four spot. After combined seven-win campaigns from Seasons 84 to 86, UP steadily improved, finishing sixth in Seasons 87 and 88 and proving it could compete with the league’s established contenders.

     

    Those experiences taught Monares that setbacks rarely tell the whole story.

     

    “I feel like UP made me really strong to a point, na I can handle everything. Kung ano man mangyari sa akin, kung saan man mapunta, or whatever challenges it may be, I am just really grateful na I get to have this chance, and I am not closing any doors. I am really open to any opportunities — may it be volleyball or outside that,” the pride of Bacolod shared.

     

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    Unlike many draft hopefuls who spent the past months attending team workouts and preparing for the Draft Combine, Monares was balancing a different challenge.

     

    The 24-year-old outside hitter continued rehabilitation for a lingering back injury that limited her throughout most of UAAP Season 88 while simultaneously completing her undergraduate thesis at UP. Graduation remained a priority, and it required sacrifices.

     

    Now that both responsibilities are behind her, Monares believes she can fully dedicate herself to whatever opportunity comes next.

     

    “I think as a free agent, it does not matter if you get drafted tonight or mag-free agent ka. I think hindi ‘yon yung magde-define sa kanila [na] if na-draft ka sa event or not. There is still hope and many chances to get to do kasi pwede ka ring mag-tryout and explore teams,” Monares said.

     

    “For me, lang kasi I was not able to train as much as other teams kasi mas nag-focus ako sa academics ko kasi I am graduating. I am just looking at the brighter side na after this draft, I have more time to try out and play with teams, kasi I am finished with school.”

     

    Rather than dwelling on what did not happen, Monares spent draft night celebrating those who reached the milestone she continues to pursue.

     

    Among them was former UP teammate Irah Jaboneta, who was selected fifth overall by Nxled, as well as her younger sister Ann Monares, who completed her rookie season with Farm Fresh after being drafted last year.

     

    “I am just really proud of them kasi they get to play — that’s their dream, and that’s their passion. I support them no matter what.”

     

    For now, Monares enters free agency carrying no bitterness and very little regret.

     

    The dream of playing in the PVL remains alive. More importantly, she believes the years she spent wearing maroon prepared her for moments exactly like this.

     

    After all, resilience was never something she learned after missing the draft.

     

    It was something she developed long before draft night ever arrived.

     

    “For me naman, I am not really closing all doors, may it be in volleyball or outside that. Just volleyball is a really big part of my life. I am just shooting my shot na makakalaro pa ba ako for PVL,” she said.

     

    “I am just grateful.” 

     

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  • Bella Belen praises Camilla Lamina after former NU teammate is picked No. 1 overall in the PVL Draft

    Bella Belen praises Camilla Lamina after former NU teammate is picked No. 1 overall in the PVL Draft

    For years, Camilla Lamina’s role at National University was defined by control, precision, and composure.

     

    As the steady orchestrator of one of the most dominant collegiate volleyball programs in the Philippines, Lamina was the engine that kept NU’s system running at a championship level. She dictated tempo, organized the offense, and ensured that the Lady Bulldogs remained firmly entrenched among the country’s elite programs through her decision-making and leadership on the court.

     

    Now, however, the challenge ahead is no longer about sustaining a winning culture—it is about creating one from the ground up.

     

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    Lamina officially begins her professional journey after being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Rookie Draft, with the Galeries Tower Highrisers making a bold statement by building their future around the former NU standout. The selection places immediate expectations on the accomplished setter, whose responsibilities now extend beyond running an offense to shaping the identity and foundation of a developing franchise.

     

    For Galeries Tower, the decision signals a clear commitment to long-term growth, banking on Lamina’s experience in a high-pressure collegiate system to help accelerate the team’s rise in the professional ranks. Her leadership, court awareness, and winning pedigree are expected to play a central role as the Highrisers aim to transition into consistent playoff contenders in the PVL.

    The significance of Lamina’s selection is further highlighted by the continued rise of National University’s volleyball program, which has now produced the No. 1 overall pick in three consecutive Rookie Drafts. Following Thea Gagate’s selection in 2024 and another top pick in the succeeding draft cycle, Lamina’s rise reinforces NU’s growing reputation as one of the country’s premier talent-producing institutions in volleyball.

     

    Adding to the narrative, Capital1 Solar Spikers star Bella Belen—herself a former NU standout and last year’s No. 1 overall pick—expressed excitement over Lamina’s entry into the professional league. Belen, who shared years of on-court chemistry with Lamina during their collegiate stint, shared her thoughts on seeing her former teammate take the next step in her career.

     

    “Excited din ako makalban si Lams kasi siyempre, all this time siya ‘yung kasama ko sa loob ng court and ngayon na nasa PVL na siya. Excited ako makita kung ano pa ‘yung pwede niyang ma-improve pa as an athlete, and ano ‘yung pwede niyang madala sa PVL. Excited na rin ako kung paano ako magpe-perform ‘pag siya ‘yung kalaban ko. Lams, stare down ka sa ‘kin, charot. Masaya lang ako for Lams kasi deserve niya talagang maging first pick,” Belen said in a media interaction.

     

    Beyond the playful competitiveness, Belen also underscored her pride in NU’s continued success in producing elite-level talent, emphasizing how the program’s sustained excellence has helped elevate Philippine volleyball as a whole.

     

    “Siguro hindi ko ma-explain, pero siguro masaya lang na isa sa mga volleyball program na umaangat is ‘yung NU. And sana magtuloy-tuloy, kumbaga hindi lang hihinto ‘yung programa ni NU, and sana marami pang ma-produce na magaling na players ‘yung NU,” she added.

     

    Galeries Tower’s decision to select Lamina at the top of the draft reflects a broader philosophy centered on long-term development rather than short-term results. By entrusting a young but proven setter with the responsibility of leading a rebuilding squad, the Highrisers are signaling their belief that sustainable success begins with leadership, discipline, and the ability to set a standard that influences an entire roster.

     

    As Lamina transitions into the professional ranks, expectations will be immediate—but so too will be the opportunity to redefine a franchise’s trajectory and establish herself as one of the PVL’s emerging cornerstone players.

     

     

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  • Lams Lamina and Julia Coronel give Galeries Tower a good problem at setter 

    Lams Lamina and Julia Coronel give Galeries Tower a good problem at setter 

    For years, Galeries Tower searched for the pieces that could elevate the franchise from hopeful contender to legitimate threat. Now, after selecting Lams Lamina with the first overall pick in the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft, the Highrisers may have stumbled upon a different kind of challenge — having too many capable hands running the offense.

     

    Most teams enter a season worrying about who will fill the setter position. Galeries Tower enters this one wondering how to divide it.

     

    The arrival of Lamina instantly strengthens what was already one of the team’s most stable positions. The former National University star brings championship experience, elite decision-making, and a winning culture forged during the Lady Bulldogs’ dynastic run in the UAAP.

     

    Yet the rookie is stepping into a team that already has a proven floor general in Julia Coronel.

     

    Since being selected third overall in the 2024 PVL Draft, Coronel has steadily grown into one of the franchise’s most important building blocks. Her ability to orchestrate the offense helped Galeries Tower take meaningful strides in recent seasons, making her emergence one of the club’s biggest success stories.

     

    Rather than viewing Lamina’s arrival as a threat, however, Coronel sees it as another opportunity for the team to evolve.

     

    “We have a very talented set of spikers din naman and obviously right now, we really need more help in terms of, I would say, also playmaking,” Coronel said.

     

    “I’m very excited to see our dynamic moving forward; kung paano kami magtutulungan, knowing the set of skills and talents that we already have in the team. That is something that we will have to see pa moving forward in practice on how the coaches will be able to instill new systems with our new additions to the team.”

     

    The situation becomes even more intriguing considering that Coronel and Lamina already share a history through Alas Pilipinas, where both earned opportunities to quarterback the national team’s offense. Instead of competing across the net, they now find themselves working toward the same objective.

     

    For head coach Aying Esteban, though, the decision to draft Lamina was never about creating a controversy.

     

    It was about creating security.

     

    In a position where injuries, fatigue, or unexpected circumstances can drastically alter a season, Esteban viewed depth as a necessity rather than a luxury. 

     

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    “Sa posisyon namin, hindi kami pwedeng sumugal na dalawa lang ‘yung setters namin. Hindi namin alam kung ano ‘yung pwedeng mangyari minsan. At least, may pang-fill in pa rin kami at makukumpleto ‘yung lineup namin, at sa roster namin ay magiging ok pa rin kami,” he said.

     

    That mindset has suddenly transformed Galeries Tower into one of the deepest teams at the setter position, especially with veteran Maji Mangulabnan also remaining in the mix.

     

    For Lamina, meanwhile, the focus is not on claiming a starting spot immediately but on proving she belongs.

     

    The former Lady Bulldog arrives carrying the expectations that come with being a No. 1 overall pick, yet she remains intent on bringing the same habits that helped make NU a perennial champion.

     

    “Healthy competition po ‘yun sa amin ng mga ates ko. Ako, as a rookie, ipapakita ko lang po talaga ‘yung best ko, kung ano po mga natutunan ko sa NU ay bibit ko talaga sa team at maishe-share ko rin po sa mga ates ko,” she said.

     

    “Rookie pa lang po ako dito sa PVL, pero same naman po na I will work professionally, with my 100-percent effort, discipline, and work ethic ko po.”

     

    Whether Lamina ultimately wins the starting role is a question that may take weeks or even months to answer.

     

    What is already clear, however, is that Galeries Tower’s biggest gain from draft night may not have been landing the top overall pick itself.

     

    It may have been creating a setter room strong enough to shape the franchise’s future for years to come. 

     

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  • Jema Galanza thrilled to guide fellow Adamson product Barbie Jamili as she joins Creamline

    Jema Galanza thrilled to guide fellow Adamson product Barbie Jamili as she joins Creamline

    The former Adamson Lady Falcons standout, Barbie Jamili became Creamline’s lone selection at No. 8 overall, creating an intriguing connection between two generations of Adamson outside hitters Jamili and veteran star Jema Galanza.


    For years, Galanza has been one of the faces of Creamline’s dynasty. Now, Jamili arrives with many fans already drawing comparisons between the two, citing their shared Adamson roots, athletic playing styles, and ability to energize supporters on and off the court.

     

    The similarities have not gone unnoticed, but for Jamili, the opportunity to become teammates with Galanza is still difficult to believe.

     

    “Sobrang happy and mixed emotions lang kasi hindi ko inexpect na mapi-pick ako,” Jamili said shortly after being drafted.

     

    The realization became even more surreal when she found herself being welcomed by Creamline veterans, including Galanza, Denden Lazaro, and Ella de Jesus.

     

    “Na-starstruck ako siyempre. Kahit sina ate Denden (Lazaro) na-starstruck sa kanila. Ang sarap sa feeling kasi hindi talaga ako nag-expect,” she said. 

     

    While Jamili is only beginning her professional journey, Galanza is already looking forward to helping the rookie navigate the challenges that come with joining one of the PVL’s deepest and most competitive rosters.

     

    “Super excited talaga ako lalo na yung dumagdag na outside hitter is from Adamson, na-excite ako sa kung anong kaya kong maitulong sa kanya,” Galanza said.

     

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    For Galanza, Jamili’s arrival is particularly meaningful because it brings another Adamson-developed outside hitter into the Creamline system—a position the team has not replenished through the draft in quite some time.

     

    “Kasi sobrang tagal bago nagkaroon ulit ng outside hitter. Hindi ko rin alam kung ano pa yung maibibigay ko sa kanya pero excited lang ako na makasama sila sa training,” she added.

     

    The mentor-mentee dynamic could prove valuable as Jamili adjusts to the professional level. Despite being one of the most promising prospects in the draft, the rookie understands that opportunities will have to be earned on a roster filled with established stars.

     

    Rather than focusing on playing time, Jamili is embracing the chance to learn from veterans like Galanza, who once made the same transition from Adamson standout to Creamline champion.

     

    “Ibibigay ko lang best ko kung ano meron ako and I’m willing to learn sa bagong team ko ngayon and sa ates ko,” Jamili said. 

     

    Jamili enters the PVL with impressive credentials. During the Draft Combine, she showcased elite athleticism by posting the fastest Pro Agility 5-10-5 time at 5.109 seconds, recording the best Hop Test mark at 3.36 m/s, and leading the 10-meter sprint with a time of 1.759 seconds.

     

    Those numbers helped elevate her draft stock and convinced Creamline to invest in her potential.

     

    Now, Jamili’s next chapter begins alongside a player many believe she could someday emulate. Whether the comparisons to Galanza grow stronger remains to be seen, but one thing is certain, the former Adamson star will have one of the best mentors in the league guiding her through the transition.

     

    For Creamline, the addition of Jamili is about more than adding another talented rookie. It is the continuation of a successful pipeline that has already produced one franchise icon—and perhaps, in time, could produce another.

     

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  • From Childhood Teammates to PVL Teammates: Detdet Pepito and Bella Belen reunite at Capital1 

    From Childhood Teammates to PVL Teammates: Detdet Pepito and Bella Belen reunite at Capital1 

    For most of their volleyball lives, Detdet Pepito and Bella Belen were known as rivals representing two of the most successful programs in the UAAP.

     

    One became the defensive backbone of the University of Santo Tomas. The other grew into the face of National University’s dynasty.

     

    Year after year, they battled on opposite sides of one of collegiate volleyball’s fiercest rivalries. Yet long before the championships, MVP awards, and packed arenas, they were simply two young athletes sharing the same court and chasing the same dream.

     

    On Wednesday night at the 2026 PVL Draft, that journey came full circle.

     

    Capital1 selected Pepito with the second overall pick, reuniting the decorated UST libero with Belen and transforming a childhood partnership into one of the most intriguing storylines of the upcoming PVL season.

     

    “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,” Pepito told reporters.

     

    Their reunion is rooted in a history that predates their collegiate stardom.

     

    Before becoming household names in Philippine volleyball, both players learned the game at Lucas R. Pascual Elementary School in Quezon City under coach Henry Fernandez. Back then, their roles were vastly different. Belen played as a setter while Pepito was deployed as a spiker, years before each discovered the positions that would eventually define their careers.

     

    As their paths diverged, both built remarkable legacies.

     

    Pepito spent 11 years with the Golden Tigresses program and emerged as one of the most decorated liberos in UAAP history. Although a championship remained elusive, she collected six Best Libero awards and established herself as one of the most reliable defensive specialists the collegiate game has ever produced.

     

    Belen’s journey unfolded on an even grander scale. She became the centerpiece of National University’s era of dominance, capturing eight championships and five MVP awards while cementing her place among the greatest players ever to wear a Lady Bulldogs uniform.

     

    For years, their friendship existed alongside competition.

     

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    Now, for the first time since their childhood days, they will be working toward the same objective.

    “Habang papunta nga ako sa red carpet, tinitingnan ko siya. Nagto-throwback lang yung teammates kami since elementary,” Pepito shared.

     

    “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.”

     

    The timing of Pepito’s arrival could not be more significant for Capital1.

     

    The Solar Spikers have aggressively reshaped their roster during the offseason, adding proven talent in former Cignal stars Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos while also selecting University of the East standout Khy Cepada later in the draft.

     

    With Belen already serving as the franchise cornerstone, Pepito gives the team another elite talent capable of contributing immediately.

     

    Still, the former UST libero knows that familiarity with Belen alone will not guarantee success.

    Capital1 enters the season with growing expectations, and developing chemistry with an increasingly talented roster remains the immediate priority.

     

    “I think slowly muna na siyempre, yung chemistry ng bago kong team and yung system na meron sila, kailangan ma-adapt ko muna. Mangangarap kami siyempre, hopefully sa amin din mapunta yung championship.“

     

    For Pepito and Belen, the story is no longer about school colors, rivalries, or individual achievements.

     

    After years of traveling separate roads through Philippine volleyball, the two childhood teammates have finally found themselves on the same side once again—this time with hopes of helping Capital1 build something special in the professional ranks.

     

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  • Akari sticks with its core, passes on entire 2026 PVL Rookie Draft 

    Akari sticks with its core, passes on entire 2026 PVL Rookie Draft 

    The Akari Chargers walked away from the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft without a single rookie addition.

    In one of the draft’s biggest surprises on Wednesday, Akari chose to pass on its No. 5 overall pick and ultimately did not select any player despite holding both first- and second-round selections.


    The decision immediately surrounded questions especially after four highly regarded prospects came off the board before Akari’s turn. Setter Camilla Lamina went first overall to the Galeries Tower Highrisers, while libero Detdet Pepito was selected second by Capital1. Also chosen ahead of the Chargers were Tin Ubaldo and Nicole Ong.

     

    For Akari assistant coach Eddieson Orcullo, however, the move was the result of a clear draft strategy rather than a lack of available selections.

     

    “Actually meron. May first and second, kaya lang talagang dumating lang sa point na hindi namin [nakuha],” Orcullo said after the draft.

     

    The Chargers had identified specific players they believed could immediately address their needs, and once those targets were gone, the organization decided against making a selection simply for the sake of adding a rookie.

     

    “Siguro ‘yung dalawa na ‘yun talaga ang kailangan talaga ng team natin, pero dahil nga napunta sa naunang team na mag-select, kaya we decided to pass na rin.” 

     

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    The two players Orcullo referred to were Lamina and Pepito, both of whom were taken before Akari’s No. 5 selection.

     

    Rather than scrambling for an alternative option, the Chargers chose discipline over urgency. According to Orcullo, the coaching staff and management were united in the decision.

     

    “‘Yung management at si coach Tina (Salak), ‘yung coaches actually nakapag-usap naman kami regarding dun kaya so far okay naman kami dun sa result na nangyari tonight,” he said. 

     

    Akari still had other prospects on its draft board, but the organization remained firm in its evaluation process.

     

    “Meron pero ‘yung dalawang tao sila dapat na makukuha namin pero dahil nga wala dun na nag-pass na rin,” the veteran FEU coach said. 

     

    The Chargers enter the new season with one of the league’s deepest cores already intact. 

     

    Leading the roster are established standouts Ivy Lacsina, Fifi Sharma, Grethcel Soltones, and Ced Domingo, while offseason acquisition Tin Tiamzon adds another experienced option to the lineup.

     

    Instead of introducing a rookie into the mix, Akari is doubling down on chemistry, familiarity, and a group that has already spent time building its identity together.

     

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