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.

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.

Alex Eala lived up to her billing as the top seed at the Lexus Birmingham Open, delivering a commanding win in a match where she played near-flawless tennis.

The 21-year-old Eala was in complete control from start to finish, dispatching Australia’s Priscilla Hon, 6-0, 6-2, in the opening round of the WTA 125 event at the Edgbaston Priory Club’s Center Court in England on Tuesday.

The world No. 37 Filipina was not only aiming to open her grass-court singles campaign on a strong note but also to rebound from a tough loss in the doubles competition. Eala and Czech partner Nikola Bartůňková held match point but failed to convert, bowing to second seeds Harriet Dart and Maia Lumsden of Great Britain, 6-4, 2-6, 11-9, on Monday.

Hon, however, found herself overwhelmed by Eala’s relentless pace.

Eala set the tone early in the opening set, winning 100% of her first-serve points and 75% of her second-serve points, never allowing the former world No. 94 to settle into rhythm. She cruised through the set in just 22 minutes, blanking Hon completely.

There was no let-up in the second set as Eala maintained her intensity. The top seed surged to a 5-0 lead, putting herself on the verge of a double bagel. Hon managed to salvage some pride by breaking Eala in the sixth game and holding serve in the seventh to get on the board, but Eala quickly shut the door in the eighth game to complete the win in 59 minutes.

Eala dominated the match statistically as well, outscoring Hon 53 points to 27.

With the victory, Eala improves her head-to-head record against Hon to 2-1. The two first met at an ITF event in Great Britain in 2023, where Eala won in straight sets, while Hon took their second meeting in the qualifiers of the 2024 WTA Ningbo Open in China.

Eala now awaits the winner of the clash between last year’s runner-up Greet Minnen of Belgium and Alina Charaeva of Russia.

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