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For the first time in PVL Draft history, a setter becomes the No. 1 selection as Lams Lamina of the NU Lady Bulldogs joins the Galeries Tower Highrisers

MANILA, Philippines – Two-time UAAP Best Setter Lams Lamina ended up as the top pick of the Galeries Tower Highrisers, while Detdet Pepito reunites with her old friend Bella Belen after being selected second by the Capital1 Solar Spikers in the 2026 PVL Draft on Wednesday, June 3.

Lamina gives Galeries Tower another reliable setter aside from former Alas Pilipinas playmaker Julia Coronel as the team continues to build around Jean Asis.  

“Since I’m from a champion team, what I’ll bring to the Galeries Tower is competitiveness. And of course, my hard work, my discipline, those are the things I’ll bring,” Lamina said in Filipino after becoming the first setter in league history to be selected No. 1.

“It’s fulfilling and it’s a testament to the trust they have in me.”

Lamina brings a stacked resume in the PVL after steering the NU Lady Bulldogs to three UAAP championships, orchestrating the offense for the likes of Belen and Alyssa Solomon. 

Lams Lamina (second from right) with Galeries Towers players and officials.

Meanwhile, Pepito — a two-time Best Libero — is seen as a potential stabilizing force in the backline for Capital1, which beefed up its offense with the signings of MVP Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos.

Pepito’s jump to the PVL marks a significant change in her career after she spent 11 years at UST, becoming one of the school’s most recognizable players.

“I’m super grateful because I’ve always dreamt of playing in the PVL,” Pepito said in Filipino. “I feel pressured but I will try my best to help Capital1.”

Detdet Pepito (second from right) with league star Bella Belen (right), along with Capital1 players and officials.

This year’s draft class was loaded with former UAAP and NCAA standouts, but top prospects Alyssa Solomon and Nina Ytang had withdrawn due to their commitments with Alas Pilipinas. 

Setter Tin Ubaldo went No. 3 to the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, adding to the team’s core bannered by Sisi Rondina, Eya Laure, and Maddie Madayag.

Nicole Ong joined the ZUS Thunderbelles as the No. 4 selection, while the Akari Chargers made the most shocking decision of the night by passing on their selection.

The 27 players who went unselected will become free agents and are free to sign with any team. 

Here are the draft picks:

1. Lams Lamina – Galeries Tower Highriser
2. Detdet Pepito – Capital1 Solar Spikers
3. Tin Ubaldo – Choco Mucho Flying Titans
4. Nicole Ong – ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles
5. Irah Jaboneta – Nxled Chameleons
6. Jonna Perdido – Farm Fresh Foxies 
7. Fianne Ariola – PLDT High Speed Hitters 
8. Barbie Jamili – Creamline Cool Smashers  
9. Khy Cepada – Capital1 Solar Spikers
10. Ann Asis – Galeries Tower Highrisers
11. PASS – ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles
12. PASS – Choco Mucho Flying Titans
13. PASS – Nxled Chameleons
14. Ela Raagas – Farm Fresh Foxies
15. PASS – PLDT High Speed Hitters
16. PASS – Capital1 Solar Spikers
17. PASS – Galeries Tower Highrisers
18. PASS – Farm Fresh Foxies

– Rappler.com