San Beda-Rizal, Bagong Ilog Volleyball Club, and Kaito Volleyball Academy topped their respective pools to lead the six teams advancing to the Echelon Under-16 Club Invitational second round on Friday at the SM Southmall Events Hall in Las Piñas City.

Joining the pool leaders in the next round, where teams will compete in a single round-robin format, are Parañaque Volleyball Team, Capital1, and PLDT.

The top four squads will advance to the semifinals of the tournament presented by Everyday Volleyball and supported by the City of Parañaque, Milo, Immuni+, McDonald’s, Rexona, Magnus Sports, Toby’s Sports, AveoWorks Solutions Inc., and Mama Lou’s.

The Baby Red Spikers dominated Pool A, cruising to four wins, including two that activated the mercy rule after securing a 15-point lead.

San Beda defeated PVT, 25-17, 20-5, while also beating HDE twice, 25-19, 19-4.

“It’s our first league na sinalihan no, it’s a very new team, so I’m very happy that the girls showed up, performed well, and showed discipline. It’s a very well-organized league. I hope this is the first of many leagues na ibibigay sa grassroots,” said head coach Ray Rosales, who shared that his Baby Red Spikers were formed just three weeks ago.

PVT still sealed its spot in the next round thanks to 25-21, 25-17 wins over the HDE Bulls.

(C) Echelon

Meanwhile, BIVC also finished undefeated in Pool B after 25-21 and 26-24 wins over Capital1, while also taking down Upskill Antipolo, 25-19, 18-3.

Reneez Cornes’ back-to-back hits on a quick attack and a solid block completed the BIVC Lady Phoenix’s comeback from six points down against the Capital1 Solar Sunnies.

“Mixed emotions po kasi this is my first time na mag-coach ng ganitong klaseng league, nagko-coach naman ako sa school pero this is my first time na ganitong setup. Sobrang thankful ako sa team kasi yung isang game, talagang ginawa ng girls ng paraan para makuha ‘yung game,” shared Lady Phoenix head coach Mark Adrian Cabralda.

Capital1, despite being tied with Upskill Antipolo at second with identical 1-3 records, will enter the next round due to superior point differential.

Created to strengthen the grassroots ecosystem of the sport, the inaugural Echelon U16 featured nine teams divided into three pools, with each team playing four games in a double round-robin elimination. The top two squads from each group will advance to the second round to be held on June 13, still at the same venue.

Director Rea Epistola of the Office of the Executive Secretary, Parañaque City Administrator Atty. Ding Soriano, and Parañaque RTC Executive Judge Leilani Dacanay-Grimares graced the opening ceremony of the grassroots tournament organized by Agencia de Echelon.

“Every great athlete starts somewhere. Not in a national training center. Not in an international tournament. But in local communities, school programs, and grassroots competitions like this [Echelon U16 Club Invitational]. This is where confidence is built, this is where talent is discovered, this is where dreams begin,” said Epistola, who also delivered the ceremonial first serve.

(C) Echelon

Kaito finished first in Pool C with a 3-1 record, posting 25-18 and 25-17 victories over Spike & Serve Volleyball Academy, along with a 25-19 win over PLDT.

The Junior High Speed Hitters later avenged their loss to Kaito with a 25-18 victory, finishing with a 2-2 record in second place.

Spike & Serve’s lone win came against PLDT, 25-11.

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Another one of Bella Belen’s wishes came true on Wednesday night as Capital1 selected UST libero Detdet Pepito with the second overall pick in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Draft, reuniting the former teammates at the professional level.

Belen had earlier seen one of her wishes fulfilled when the Solar Spikers signed reigning PVL MVPs and former Cignal stars Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos earlier in the offseason. Now, she has realized another, with Pepito—her former elementary teammate and close friend—officially getting drafted and beginning her PVL journey, bringing their shared path full circle at the professional level.

Indeed, things continue to fall into place for the once-rebuilding Capital1, as the team keeps adding key pieces to its young core in a move that could elevate it into contender status in the coming seasons.

For Belen, it feels like everything is meant to be.

“Siguro meant to be rin para sa amin ‘yung mga hinihiling ko,” said Belen.

“And thank you, Lord, thank you, Lord. Ayun, siguro meant to be lang talaga sila para sa Capital1.”

(C) Joaqui Flores/UAAP Season 86 Media Team

But while the Solar Spikers now boast an upgraded and promising roster, Belen stressed that talent on paper is one thing, and execution on the court is another, noting that it will ultimately be up to the team to put everything together.

“Since marami na kaming recruit this year, hopefully mas maganda yung team composition namin now, and siyempre hindi naman porket naka-recruit kami ng talented na players ay magiging madali na—training pa rin and chemistry pa rin,” said the 23-year-old outside hitter.

“Volleyball is a team effort talaga. Excited lang ako sa magiging journey ng Capital1.”

Belen also reflected on finally teaming up with Pepito, saying they never expected to reach this point when they were younger during what they jokingly referred to as their “jejemon days,” but are grateful that their hard work over the years has paid off.

She added that she is beyond excited to finally share the court with Pepito after years of fierce UAAP battles.

“Siyempre, noong mga panahon namin na ‘yun, noong jejemon pa kami, hindi namin in-expect na aabot kami sa ganitong lagay kung nasaan kami ngayon. And sabi ko, ‘yun nga, nagka-draft na eh, so may chance talaga na magka-teammate kami ulit, pero hindi ganun kalaki,” said Belen.

“So ngayon, sobrang happy ako na teammates ulit kami ni Detdet. Excited na ako kung paano na kami ngayon na hindi na kami jejemon, ’di siguro mas matured and mas marami na kaming lessons from past years namin as a player.”

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After being selected 10th overall by Galeries Tower in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Draft, former Far Eastern University middle blocker Ann Asis is ready to bring her poise and relentless net defense to the professional ranks.

Joining a Highrisers squad that already features a strong middle blocker rotation in former Lady Tamaraw teammate Jean Asis and Roselle Baliton, Ann is focused on making an immediate impact for a Galeries side eager to break through in a highly competitive nine-team field.

Aside from reuniting with her former running mate from FEU, Asis is also looking forward to learning from Jean — the second overall pick in the 2025 PVL Draft — and veteran middle blocker Roselle Baliton.

“Sobrang excited po, especially kay Jean kasi teammates kami sa FEU and talagang sister-sister kami. Talagang meron siya nung offense and ako naman sa defense sa blocking, yun yung parang tandem namin,” Asis told reporters last Wednesday evening at Novotel Manila in Cubao.

“Sobrang excited ako kay Ate Baliton na makasama siya sa court kasi magaling siyang mag-block and I think sobrang laki pa ng matutunan ko sa kanya.”

For the 5-foot-10 middle blocker, hearing her name called by Galeries Tower marked the culmination of the leap of faith she took in entering the professional ranks, especially after impressing the Highrisers during multiple tryout sessions.

(C) PVL Images

Those standout tryouts proved crucial for the pride of Real, Quezon. Despite limited playing time with the Lady Tamaraws due to the emergence of players like Jaz Ellarina and Cla Loresco, Asis defied the odds to become one of just 11 players selected from a pool of 38 aspirants.

“Sobrang grateful ko po na ako yung pinili nila and nakita nila talaga yung potential kasi nung nakitraining ako sa kanila talagang sila yung unang team na pinuntahan ko and talagang binigay ko lang lahat kasi nothing to lose naman talaga yung pagsali ko dito sa PVL and sobrang saya kasi nagtiwala sila sa akin,” Asis said.

“Nasa isip ko lang na kung sinuman yung team na pipili sa akin, sabi ko talaga, ipapangako ko na ibibigay ko lahat ng kaya kong ibigay sa kanila. And grateful ako na Galeries yung pumili sa akin,” she added.

Although her playing time was limited during her stint with the Tina Salak-mentored FEU squad, Asis believes those years with the Lady Tamaraws were far from wasted.

Instead, she intends to use that experience to develop the grit and resilience needed to help fuel Galeries Tower’s push for immediate success, beginning with the upcoming PVL on Tour tournament.

“Excited naman po ako na kung ano man po yung maibibigay sa akin na role and kung ano yung skills and nakuha ko sa FEU na nakuha ko na pagiging resilient, disciplined, lahat — team player naman po ako so willing po ako na ibigay lahat ng yun sa Galeries ngayon,” she said.

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