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Tag: PVL 2026 Rookie Draft

  • 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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  • No. 1 pick Camilla Lamina embraces new challenge in PVL with Galeries Towers  

    No. 1 pick Camilla Lamina embraces new challenge in PVL with Galeries Towers  

    For years, Camilla Lamina’s role was clear.

     

    She was the steady hand behind one of the most dominant programs in collegiate volleyball, orchestrating plays, directing traffic, and helping National University maintain its place among the country’s elite teams.

     

    Now, the challenge is entirely different.

     

    Instead of fitting into an established championship culture, Lamina is being asked to help build one.

     

    The former NU star officially enters the professional ranks as the No. 1 overall pick of the 2026 PVL Draft after the Galeries Tower Highrisers made her the centerpiece of their future, entrusting the accomplished setter with a responsibility that extends far beyond distributing the ball.

     

    For Lamina, hearing her name called first overall was less about individual recognition and more about the confidence a franchise placed in her.

     

    “For me, siyempre fulfilling kasi wow, ako ‘yung isa sa mga napili nila ng Galeries. It shows ‘yung trust na ako pa talaga ‘yung napili. Very happy and very grateful,” she said.

     

    The selection marks a significant transition for one of the most decorated setters to emerge from the UAAP in recent years.

     

    At NU, Lamina was surrounded by a culture built around winning. Championships were expected, and excellence was the standard. At Galeries Tower, she enters a team still searching for its breakthrough and looking for foundational pieces capable of elevating the franchise.

     

    That reality is not lost on the 23-year-old playmaker.

     

    Rather than focusing solely on her skills as a setter, Lamina believes the biggest contribution she can bring comes from the values she developed during her years with the Lady Bulldogs.

     

    “Since I am from a champion team, which is NU, ang mabibigay ko lang at mao-offer ko sa Galeries ay kung gaano ako ka-competitive inside and outside the court at ‘yung hard work, discipline, at ‘yung work ethic ko,” Lamina said.

     

    Those traits could prove just as valuable as her precise sets and court vision.

     

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    Galeries Tower’s decision to make Lamina the top pick reflects its belief that building a competitive team requires more than talent. It requires players capable of setting standards and establishing habits that can influence an entire roster.

     

    The professional game, however, presents a different landscape from the one she dominated in college.

     

    Gone are the familiar opponents and systems. Waiting for her in the PVL are battle-tested veterans, former MVPs, national team standouts, and players who have spent years refining their craft at the highest level of Philippine volleyball.

     

    Instead of viewing that reality with apprehension, Lamina sees it as the next stage of her growth.

     

    “Of course, always ready naman ako syempre. But syempre, it will start sa how will I prepare first and how will I manage myself,” she said.

     

    “Siyempre, pagtuntong sa PVL, kasi iba na sila maglaro, mga beterano na sila maglaro. Feel ko marami ako matututunan and i-e-embrace ko talaga ‘yung challenge pag kalaban sila.”

     

    For Lamina, the draft did more than launch a professional career.

     

    It transformed her from the setter of a champion into a potential cornerstone of a franchise looking to write its own success story. The expectations that come with being the first overall pick are undeniable, but so is the opportunity.

     

    And for a player who spent her collegiate career helping others shine, the next chapter will be about proving she can help lead an entire organization forward.

     

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  • PVL Draft headlined by Detdet Pepito and Lams Lamina as 38 prospects prepare for selection night 

    PVL Draft headlined by Detdet Pepito and Lams Lamina as 38 prospects prepare for selection night 

    The Premier Volleyball League Draft is set to take center stage on Wednesday at Novotel Manila, with 38 hopefuls ready to hear their names called in what has become one of the most unpredictable draft classes in recent years. 


    What initially looked like an expected selection order has shifted dramatically following the withdrawals of Alyssa Solomon and Nina Ytang, opening the door for a deeper and more competitive talent pool.

     

    At the forefront of this year’s class are two of the most decorated collegiate players in recent UAAP seasons—National University’s two-time Best Setter Camilla Lamina and University of Santo Tomas’ two-time Best Libero Bernadett Pepito. 

     

    Their presence at the top immediately sets a tone of balance between playmaking precision and defensive excellence, two roles that often define long-term success in the professional game.

     

    With Galeries Tower holding the No. 1 overall pick after winning the draft lottery on May 25, followed by Capital1, Choco Mucho, and Akari, the early selections are expected to shape the league’s next competitive cycle.

     

    Beyond the headline names, attention has also shifted toward prospects who elevated their stock through the Draft Combine. 

     

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    Adamson’s Barbie Jamili stood out with top marks in the 10-meter sprint (1.759 seconds), pro agility 5-10-5 test (5.109 seconds), and hop test reactive strength index (3.36 meters per second), showcasing elite athletic explosiveness that could translate immediately at the professional level.

     

    University of the East’s Khy Cepada also delivered a strong all-around performance, finishing second in the 10-meter sprint (1.776 seconds) and countermovement jump (44.7 centimeters), while placing third in the pro agility test (5.133 seconds) and ranking consistently across other athletic benchmarks including hop test and approach jump metrics. These numbers have positioned both players as potential impact selections depending on team needs in the middle rounds.

     

    However, not all draft stories will unfold on stage. Far Eastern University’s Tin Ubaldo will skip the ceremony as she remains with the Alas Pilipinas Women pool preparing for international duty in the 2026 AVC Women’s Cup in Candon City, highlighting how national team commitments continue to intersect with professional league pathways.

     

    The final draft pool reflects the depth of UAAP volleyball talent across multiple programs, including UST’s Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula; UP’s Irah Jaboneta, Joan Monares, Heart Magsombol, and Jum Gayo; FEU’s Ann Asis and Florize Papa; De La Salle University’s Ela Raagas, Michelle Beterina, and Sophia Sindayen; UE’s Tin Ecalla and Kayce Balingit; Adamson’s Barbie Jamili; and Ateneo’s Taks Fujimoto. Adding an international dimension is Cal State Dominguez Hills’ Jade Fuentes, the lone Filipino-foreign applicant in this year’s class.

     

    Players who opted out of this year’s draft face a delayed professional entry, as league rules require reapplication in the next cycle. Since they did not participate in the draft proper, they will not be classified as free agents, reinforcing the PVL’s structured transition system from collegiate to professional play under Games and Amusements Board regulations.

     

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  • Detdet Pepito ready for PVL leap as former UST captain eyes new challenge with pro liberos 

    Detdet Pepito ready for PVL leap as former UST captain eyes new challenge with pro liberos 

    For more than a decade, Detdet Pepito’s volleyball identity was tied to the University of Santo Tomas.


    Now, as she steps into the professional ranks, the former Golden Tigresses captain is preparing to test herself against the very players she once watched from the sidelines.

     

    “Super excited ko kasi yun nga noon pinapanood ko lang sila, ngayon pa kayang makakalaban ko sila,” Pepito said.

     

    After 11 years of development under the UST system, Pepito enters the PVL Draft carrying both familiarity and uncertainty, the kind that comes with leaving a long-standing home and entering an entirely new competitive environment.

     

    Despite the transition, the two-time UAAP Best Libero remains firm on the qualities she plans to bring into the professional stage, especially the leadership that defined her collegiate career.

     

    “Siguro, unang-una po yung leadership ko, of course, and yung palagi ko talagang binibigay yung 101-percent ko during training pa lang po and syempre sa laro,” the UST captain said.

     

    But behind the confidence is a reality check that comes with professional adjustment. Pepito admitted that adapting to PVL routines has not been simple, especially with the shift in training schedules and overall system differences compared to collegiate life.

     

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    “Honestly, it’s been really hard. Even just the training schedule is a huge adjustment because most PVL teams train in the morning. In UST, we usually finished training late at night, so my body clock was really used to that,” she said.

     

    Still, instead of resisting change, Pepito has begun embracing it, even finding unexpected positives in the adjustment to a new routine.

     

    “Now I’m trying my best to adjust to morning training and to the overall PVL system. It’s difficult, but exciting too because after almost 11 years of training at night, now I’m training in the morning. Actually, I’ve noticed I become more productive after morning training because I still have the whole afternoon to do other things.”

     

    As the PVL Draft approaches on June 3 at Novotel Manila Araneta City, Pepito is part of a competitive pool of liberos that includes University of the Philippines’ Jum Gayo and Irah Jaboneta, as well as Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s Lara Mae Silva, among others.

     

    The draft order places Galeries Tower on top with the first overall pick, followed by Capital1, Choco Mucho, ZUS Coffee, Akari, Nxled, Farm Fresh, PLDT, and Creamline.

     

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  • Taks Fujimoto leans on support system ahead of PVL Rookie Draft 

    Taks Fujimoto leans on support system ahead of PVL Rookie Draft 

    The path of Taks Fujimoto from UAAP battles to a possible professional career in the PVL has never been just about talent, it has also been about resilience.

     

    The former Ateneo Lady Eagles setter once carried much of the burden as the team tried to measure up against the league’s elite, often finding herself at the center of criticism regardless of factors beyond her control. Those early challenges, however, have now shaped how she approaches the next stage of her volleyball journey.


    As she enters the buildup to the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft, Fujimoto has shifted her focus away from outside noise and toward personal growth, embracing a mindset centered on effort and consistency.

     

    “Siguro, no matter what other people say or yung mga bashers, just do your best. Because there will be people who will support you no matter what,” Fujimoto said.

     

    Now preparing for the draft combine scheduled on May 28 and 29, Fujimoto joined fellow aspirants in a pre-draft meeting organized by her agency Hustle & Groove. The session provided prospects with guidance on what to expect and what areas they need to sharpen before stepping into the professional stage.

     

    Rather than feeling overwhelmed by the transition, the 25-year-old setter is choosing to approach it with curiosity and confidence, seeing it as an opportunity to show the work she has quietly put in over the years.

     

    “I think more on [I want to] enjoy and to really just showcase what I’ve been doing, what I’ve been training for the past years,” the 25-year-old said.

     

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    One of the most reassuring elements of her journey has been the presence of familiar faces. Fujimoto is the only Ateneo player officially listed in the upcoming draft class, but she is far from navigating the process alone.

     

    Former teammates Lyann De Guzman of the Nxled Chameleons and AC Miner of ZUS Coffee have stayed closely involved in her preparation, offering both emotional support and practical advice drawn from their own professional experiences.

     

    “Grateful din talaga ako sa kanila. Because nag-a-ask din ako if ano ba nangyayare, if anong ginawa nila nung draft, or anong kailangan. Before pa ako nakapag-isip mag-draft, tinanong ko rin if anong kailangan ko i-improve as an individual,” Fujimoto said.

     

    With the draft approaching, their guidance has helped Fujimoto better understand what lies ahead, turning uncertainty into readiness as she steps closer to the professional ranks.

     

    “They’re always there to guide me, to help me na ito dapat gawin mo. And I think mas better if ito pa i-improve mo. And happy din po ako kasi nandyan sila. And I can really count on them no matter what.”

     

    As the PVL Rookie Draft draws near, Fujimoto’s story is no longer just about proving herself on the court—it is also about growth, trust, and carrying forward the lessons learned from both struggle and support.

     

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  • Jade Fuentes returns to PH chasing second shot through PVL Draft 

    Jade Fuentes returns to PH chasing second shot through PVL Draft 

    For Jade Fuentes, the 2026 PVL Draft is more than just a professional opportunity.

     

    It’s a return to the place where a once-promising Philippine volleyball journey was unexpectedly put on pause.

     

    Years after quietly leaving the country during the pandemic, the Filipino-American outside hitter is back — this time hoping to finally write the chapter she once never got to finish.

     

    Before building her game in the United States with California State University Dominguez Hills in NCAA Division II play, Fuentes was already familiar with the local volleyball scene. She previously suited up for the powerhouse De La Salle University Lady Spikers program from 2020 to 2022, serving as a reserve during UAAP Season 84 and later seeing action in the Shakey’s Super League.

     

    But just as her Philippine volleyball journey was beginning to take shape, COVID changed everything.

     

    “When I first played in the Philippines, it was for DLSU for 2020 to 2022. So I was a reserve for [UAAP] Season 84 and then I played in the Shakey’s [Super] League. And because of COVID, I wanted to go home and be with my family,” Fuentes explained during a pre-draft gathering for aspirants under Hustle & Groove management.

     

    “But I always knew that I would come back for the draft because I loved the environment here in the Philippines. And so I trained and played at Cal State Dominguez Hills and that was CCAA Division II. And I’m just super excited to be back here.”

     

    Now, Fuentes returns to the Philippines carrying not only improved skills from her years overseas, but also a stronger sense of purpose.

     

    The 2026 PVL Draft represents a full-circle opportunity for the Fil-Am hitter, whose family traces its roots to Antipolo City. After completing her degree in psychology as a Summa Cum Laude graduate in the United States, Fuentes decided it was finally time to pursue the professional dream she once postponed.

     

    And beyond the volleyball itself, it was the culture surrounding the sport in the Philippines that kept pulling her back.

     

    “I’m super excited to be in the competitive spirit that the Philippines has. And the amazing fans and the environment,” she shared.

     

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    Her return also comes with a sense of familiarity. Several of her former teammates have already become established names in Philippine volleyball, and reconnecting with them has only strengthened the feeling that she’s exactly where she’s supposed to be.

     

    “A hundred percent [it’s a full circle moment]. It’s especially been super nice seeing all my old teammates like ate Thea [Gagate], ate Fifi [Sharma], Sophia [Sindayen], who’s also going to be doing the draft with me,” Fuentes said.

     

    “It’s just been super nice being able to have a full circle moment where I’m able to see all my old teammates and just hang out with them and be able to play volleyball with them again.”

     

    Still, despite the excitement surrounding her return, Fuentes remains grounded entering a draft class loaded with high-profile talent and experienced collegiate stars.

     

    Rather than making bold promises, the former DLSU reserve simply wants teams to see the intangibles she believes separate her from the rest of the field.

     

    “I want to show that I’m a fierce competitor and that I have leadership skills that I can bring on to whatever team that I go on. And I also just want to make an impact and help better my team in whatever way possible,” Fuentes said.

     

    This time around, though, Fuentes isn’t arriving in Philippine volleyball as someone trying to find her footing.

     

    She’s returning as someone determined to finish what she started.

     

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  • Detdet Pepito aims to carry the UST mindset into the Premier Volleyball League as she enters the Rookie Draft

    Detdet Pepito aims to carry the UST mindset into the Premier Volleyball League as she enters the Rookie Draft

    For Detdet Pepito, the move to the pros is not about changing who she is, it’s about carrying everything she learned and lived through at the collegiate level into a bigger stage.


    As she officially enters the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Rookie Draft on June 3, the former captain and libero of the UST Golden Tigresses is anchoring her mindset on UST’s mentality.

     

    That identity was built in España — on grit, resilience, and the trademark “puso” culture that defined UST volleyball through years of battles in the UAAP.

     

    “I think ano talaga, small but terrible.”

     

    “Hindi lang naman talaga kami gifted sa height, pero maaasahan mo kami pagdating sa laro, syempre. Talaga ang UST pag naglalaro, puso talaga,” the two-time UAAP Best Libero said.

     

    Now, she hopes that same identity can translate to the professional level. Pepito enters the draft after completing five years with the Golden Tigresses, closing a collegiate chapter where she served as both leader and defensive anchor. But instead of viewing the transition as leaving UST behind, she sees it as extending its legacy.

     

    “Siyempre happy and proud kasi nga tatlo kaming from UST and sana lang mapakita namin kung ano yung mga learnings na nakuha namin from UST,” she said.

     

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    Alongside teammates Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula, Pepito now steps into a new environment where systems are faster, opponents are stronger, and expectations are higher, but she believes the foundation she built in UST will still hold.

     

    Even as she prepares for the adjustment, she remains grounded in the same mindset that carried her through collegiate pressure moments.

     

    “Of course hindi ko masyado pini-pressure talaga yung sarili ko. Siyempre, once in a lifetime lang naman ito, so hanggat maaari gusto kong enjoyin,” she said.

     

    Still, enjoyment does not mean losing edge. For Pepito, competitiveness remains non-negotiable — only now, it comes with a sense of pride in representing where she came from.

     

    “Pero siyempre yung pagiging competitive, nandun pa rin. Siyempre pride din ang UST yung dala namin.”

     

    As she prepares for the next step in her career, Pepito is not leaving her identity behind — she is bringing it with her, hoping the same “puso” that defined her years in green and gold will also define her future in the professional game.

     

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  • Senior core stays intact as FEU Lady Tamaraws opts for one final redemption run in Season 89

    Senior core stays intact as FEU Lady Tamaraws opts for one final redemption run in Season 89

    After weeks of uncertainty surrounding their futures, the senior core of the FEU Lady Tamaraws has made a unified decision and that is to stay one more year in Morayta.


    Instead of moving on to the professional ranks or joining a star-studded PVL rookie class, Gerz Petallo, Jaz Ellarina, Aly Devosora, Marga Encarnacion, and Mitzi Panangi have all committed to one final UAAP campaign, giving FEU a rare continuity boost heading into Season 89.

     

    The collective decision comes in the aftermath of a frustrating Season 88 run, where the Lady Tamaraws fell short of a third straight Final Four appearance amid stretches of inconsistency. For the seniors, the unfinished climb proved too significant to walk away from just yet.

     

    Petallo was the first to confirm her return after openly considering whether her collegiate career had reached its end following FEU’s near-miss postseason push. The veteran outside hitter admitted the decision required time and reflection, especially with professional volleyball opportunities within reach.

     

    “Tagal ko po talaga inisip at napagdesisyunan to. But ang masasagot ko lang po is my heart is still [with] green and gold. I’m not yet fulfilled,” Petallo said. 

     

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    FEU’s struggles last season weighed heavily on the senior group, particularly the team’s inability to sustain momentum throughout the campaign.

     

    “Masakit po siya para sa akin, yung season po na ‘to na mababa po kami sa ranking. Lalo na hindi nakapasok sa Final Four,” she said.

     

    Still, Petallo emphasized that the experience served as a turning point rather than an ending.

     

    “But yung silver lining po nito, madami po kaming natutunan sa season na ‘to,” she added.

     

    One of the clearest issues identified was FEU’s inconsistency from game to game — a flaw the seniors are determined to correct in their final run.

     

    “Nakita namin na inconsistent po yung laruan. Biglang baba, taas, baba, taas. Yan po yung pag-aaralan namin kung paano namin may iiwasan next season. Paano maging resilient and maging consistent pa,” the senior player of FEU Lady Tamaraws said. 

     

    Petallo will not be leading the charge alone. Ellarina, Devosora, Encarnacion, and Panangi have also confirmed their return, reinforcing FEU’s veteran presence across multiple positions. For Ellarina, the decision was also tied to leadership and unfinished personal growth within the program.

     

    “I’ll play one more year pa po. Di pa po ako ready iwanan FEU,” Ellarina said.

     

    The middle blocker added that she plans to take on a stronger leadership role while regaining her confidence on the court.

     

    “Siguro I’ll start with being a leader talaga, by setting good examples in and out the court para ma-inspire mga kasama ko na mas maging better each day, lalo na yung mga bata,” she said.

     

    “Mas gusto kong maging aggressive and composed at the same time at ibalik din yung confidence na nawala sakin last season.”

     

    With all seniors opting to stay, FEU enters Season 89 with something rare in modern collegiate volleyball, a fully intact veteran core.

     

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