Akari made the surprising decision to pass up the opportunity to pick fifth in the first round of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Draft, becoming the first team to skip a selection and effectively ending its participation in the selection process last Wednesday night.

The decision marked a rare occurrence in the young history of the PVL Draft, as it became the first time a team elected to pass on a first-round pick since the league introduced the rookie draft two years ago.

Chargers assistant coach Eddieson Orcullo, who represented the team alongside several players during the draft, revealed that Akari had identified two prospects as potential targets.

According to Tiebreaker Times sources, those two were Tin Ubaldo, who was picked third by Choco Mucho, and Nicole Ong, who eventually landed with Farm Fresh.

However, both players were taken before Akari’s turn at sixth overall, prompting management to pass on the pick rather than select a player who did not fit its needs.

(C) PVL Images

“Actually, meron. May first and second (options). Kaso dumating lang sa point na hindi namin nakuha ‘yung dalawa, so siguro ‘yung dalawa na ‘yun talaga ang kailangan ng team namin,” said Orcullo.

“Pero dahil nga napunta dun sa naunang teams na mag-select, kaya we decided to pass na rin. Yung management, si Coach Tina (Salak), yung coaches talagang nag-usap naman kami regarding dun. So far, okay naman kami sa result,” he added.

The Chargers are now expected to lean on and maximize their current roster heading into the upcoming season, banking on continuity and internal development as they open their campaign in the PVL On Tour later this month.

“Ngayon, so far kung ano ‘yung meron kaming lineup sa roster namin, I think magiging maganda naman ‘yung takbo namin,” he said.

“Titingnan natin, siyempre, with the help of the players na talagang nandiyan naka-support sa lahat ng ginagawa natin.”

The post Akari left empty-handed as Nicole Ong, Tin Ubaldo come off draft board before Chargers’ turn appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.

A night of realized dreams for the University of Santo Tomas women’s volleyball program also came with a bittersweet turn at the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Draft.

Former Golden Tigresses captain and two-time UAAP Best Libero Detdet Pepito was selected second overall by Capital1, while versatile outside hitter Jonna Perdido was picked sixth overall by Farm Fresh, a team that features UST women’s and girls’ volleyball program director Kungfu Reyes as an assistant coach.

However, their ever-reliable teammate Xyza Gula went undrafted, as only 11 of the 38 hopefuls heard their names called on Wednesday evening at Novotel Manila in Cubao.

Despite the unexpected outcome for the hard-hitting spiker from Tacloban, Pepito remains confident that Gula’s undeniable bravery and grit will eventually earn her a spot in the professional ranks.

“Well, huwag mawalan ng pag-asa, of course. Nandito lang kaming mga ates niya to support her,” Pepito told Tiebreaker Times.

“For sure, may makukuha at makukuha na teams sa kanya at hopefully, kung saanman na team siya magpunta, give your best at again, nandito lang kami.”

(C) PVL Images

The bond and sisterhood forged in España runs deep, and Pepito was quick to remind Gula of how she overcame every obstacle thrown her way during her four-year run with UST.

The 5-foot-4 athletic hitter joined the Golden Tigresses in Season 85 and delivered her best performance in Season 86, when UST made a breakthrough runner-up finish. She provided valuable spark off the bench, finishing with 78 points on 71 attacks and seven aces.

Her biggest test, however, came in Season 87 when she was forced to sit out due to a displaced tailbone fracture. She returned a year later in Season 88 to help power UST to a bronze-medal finish in a highly competitive UAAP women’s volleyball season.

“Try lang nang try. Gusto kong sabihin na proud ako palagi. Proud ako sayo, Xyza, sa pinerform mo sa UAAP, sa tapang mo, at sa pinagsamahan natin. Sobrang proud ako, nandito lang kami ni Ate Jonna [Perdido] mo para sa’yo,” Pepito shared.

Now set to enter a stacked free agency pool that includes other top UAAP talents such as UP’s Joan Monares and Heart Magsambol, Ateneo’s Taks Fujimoto, and the UE duo of Kayce Balingit and Tin Ecalla, Pepito is confident that Gula’s fearless approach will eventually catch the attention of a PVL team in need of firepower.

“Of course ,yung iconic line nga ni Coach Kungfu na ‘Dalhin mo buong Tacloban sa bawat palo mo’. Ganon katapang yung bata na yon,” she shared.

“Ang laki ng tiwala ko sa kanya na mapupunta siya sa talagang mas kailangan siya ng team.”

The post Detdet Pepito convinced Xyza Gula’s PVL opportunity will still come appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.

Representing the University of the Philippines in the highly competitive eight-team field of the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament is no walk in the park. It demands immense patience and unwavering resilience to endure constant rebuilding phases and five consecutive head coaching changes in recent years.

For former Fighting Maroons team captain Joan Monares, those character-building years in Diliman forged a resilient mental fortitude that no single setback could easily shatter — not even missing out on Wednesday night’s 2026 Premier Volleyball League Draft.

“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.”

While seeing 11 out of 38 hopefuls called to the stage at Novotel Manila in Cubao without hearing her name might be viewed as a setback in her professional volleyball journey, Monares is taking it in stride.

And after turning a combined seven-win campaign across Seasons 84 to 86 into near Final Four breakthroughs in Season 87 (sixth place, 6-8) and Season 88 (sixth place, 5-9), Monares knows she has weathered tougher battles — and that missing out on draft night is just another hurdle she is willing to clear.

“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.

While most aspirants dedicated their time to preparing for the Draft Combine and attending private workout sessions with PVL teams, Monares had her attention divided.

Beyond consistently rehabbing a nagging back injury that kept her sidelined for the majority of Season 88, the 24-year-old outside hitter also focused on completing her thesis — her final requirement before officially graduating from UP.

(C) PVL Images

Now that her academic responsibilities are complete, Monares enters a stacked free agency pool with a clear mind and fresh perspective, ready to offer whatever it takes to achieve her long-standing dream of playing in the PVL.

“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 magtry-out 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,” she furthered.

Despite an uncertain future, Monares expressed genuine happiness for her peers who have finally begun their rookie journeys in the PVL — including one who successfully made the leap.

Her younger sister Ann just completed her first pro season after being selected 16th overall in the second round of the 2025 Draft by Farm Fresh, while former UP teammate Irah Jaboneta was scooped up by Nxled as the fifth overall pick this 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.”

At the end of the day, Monares continues to bet on herself. After five years of representing the Fighting Maroons, she knows the grit she developed will carry her far — whether on or off the Taraflex court.

“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.”

The post Joan Monares keeps faith alive in PVL path appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.