Already a top prospect after bidding farewell to National University last year, Alyssa Solomon is set to enter the Premier Volleyball League not only as a champion player, but also as one enriched by international experience.

Solomon played for the Osaka Marvelous in the Japan SV.League during the 2025-26 season, further honing her skills in one of the world’s top volleyball countries.

The 24-year-old opposite spiker maximized her stint with Osaka, tallying 147 points in 30 games while helping the team secure a silver-medal finish in Japan’s top-level competition.

Those experiences are what Solomon hopes to bring to the lucky team that will select her in the 2026 PVL Draft on June 3.

“Ibibigay ko lang talaga kung ano ‘yung meron na natutunan ko from Japan. All out lang talaga sa daily and sa game. ‘Yun lang po,” said Solomon on Thursday during Day 1 of the Draft Combine held at the Gameville Ball Park in Mandaluyong.

“Ay, sobrang daming learnings. Kung paano talaga magtrabaho ‘yung mga Japanese, makikita mo kung paano nila ihagis ‘yung katawan nila sa floor, hindi talaga nila hinahayaan na bumagsak ‘yung bola,” she continued.

“Dahil doon parang na-inspire ako na kaya ko rin naman siguro ‘yun. More on hard work talaga yung masaya ko na experience doon.”

(C) PVL Images

Because of her no-nonsense experience in Japan, coupled with her towering presence and championship pedigree in the UAAP, Solomon is widely viewed as the consensus top overall pick in the upcoming draft.

Galeries Tower won the first overall pick during last Monday’s Draft Lottery, followed by Capital1, Choco Mucho, and ZUS Coffee in that order.

Akari will pick fifth, followed by Nxled, Farm Fresh, PLDT, and Creamline. The second-round order will be based on the teams’ weighted standings from last season.

Solomon is embracing the challenge of taking on a major role in a rebuilding team, with the Highrisers expected to strongly consider her as the cornerstone of their franchise.

“For me, parang wala pa rin talagang expectation sa anong mangyayari. So, siguro if ever na mapunta ako sa team, ibibigay ko lang talaga kung ano ‘yung natutunan ko sa Japan. And siguro matutulungan kami, and mag-enjoy lang,” said Solomon.

“Actually, mas masayang manalo kapag nasa ganoon kang posisyon, kasi alam mong pinaghihirapan ng team. So, ayun, excited ako na mangyari siguro ‘yun, if ever.”

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A decorated libero in the UAAP, Detdet Pepito is ready to prove herself in the Premier Volleyball League.

Pepito, a two-time Best Libero in the collegiate ranks and a four-time awardee in the high school division, is excited to share the floor with the PVL’s best floor defenders.

Among the league’s well-known liberos are PLDT’s Kath Arado and the Choco Mucho duo of Thang Ponce and Dawn Catindig.

“Super excited ko kasi yun nga noon pinapanood ko lang sila, ngayon pa kayang makakalaban ko sila,” said the UST product on Thursday during Day 1 of the PVL Draft Combine at the Gameville Ball Park in Mandaluyong.

“I think better kasi mas makikita ko kung paano sila gumalaw face to face. I think yung learnings sa adjustment ganon kung paano sila mag-handle ng pressure talagang kailangan kong baunin para mag-improve,” she added.

(C) PVL Images

A known vocal leader during her stint with the Golden Tigresses, Pepito vowed to bring the same qualities that made her one of the most beloved figures at UST in recent years.

She is among a small group of liberos in the draft pool, alongside University of the Philippines’ Jum Gayo and Irah Jaboneta, as well as Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s Lara Mae Silva, among others.

“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,” Pepito shared.

The PVL Draft will be held on June 3 at the Novotel Manila Araneta City, with Galeries Tower holding the all-important top overall pick.

Capital1 will select second, followed by Choco Mucho, ZUS Coffee, Akari, Nxled, Farm Fresh, PLDT, and Creamline in that order.

Pepito also vowed not to change the personality that often helps lift her team’s morale from down moments to a more joyful and energized squad.

“Ganon lang, ganon ko po kasi napapakita yung leadership ko and mas nagiging magaan po yung galaw ko kapag nagiging ako, yung sarili ko na makulit, doon ako nagiging mas effective.”

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When the stakes are high and so much is on the line, friendships have to take a backseat.

A first-ever win on the hallowed red clay of Roland Garros remained elusive for Alex Eala as she fell to good friend Iva Jovic of the United States, 6-4, 6-2, in the first round of the 2026 French Open on Tuesday.

In their first meeting on the pro tour, world No. 37 Eala and world No. 17 Jovic engaged in a gripping battle that ultimately came down to who could deliver in the bigger moments. Jovic’s more powerful forehand allowed her to seize control in the opening set.

The former doubles partners went at each other from the very first game, which lasted more than nine minutes. Eala had two break points but could not convert, allowing Jovic to hold serve and draw first blood. That missed opportunity proved costly for Eala.

Jovic created separation in the fourth game, which stretched beyond 13 minutes and featured six deuces, with the 18-year-old American converting on her third break point to take a 3-1 lead.

She later extended the advantage to 5-1 before Eala found her rhythm and broke Jovic twice to stay within striking distance at 5-4.

Eala, however, lost her serve at love, dropping the opening set after one hour and two minutes.

Eala attempted to work her way back into the match by opening the second set with a service break.

Jovic, sensing the danger of allowing Eala to build momentum, responded with a break of her own to level the score in the second game.

After both players held serve to make it 2-2, Jovic asserted her class and swept the next four games to keep Eala winless at Roland Garros.

Jovic advanced to the second round, where she will face fellow American Emma Navarro, who defeated Janice Tjen in the opening round, 6-4, 6-3.

The recently turned 21-year-old Eala, who celebrated her birthday last Saturday, May 23, will return to action on Wednesday in the doubles event.

She and Canadian partner Victoria Mboko will face Leylah Fernandez and Diana Shnaider.

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