Galeries Tower made a bold statement in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Rookie Draft on Wednesday at Novotel Manila in Cubao, selecting former National University standout setter Camilla Lamina with the No. 1 overall pick.
Lamina headlines a new era for the Highrisers, joining former national team member Julia Coronel in orchestrating Galeries’ offense, which already features Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Jean Asis. The franchise is clearly banking on elite floor leadership as the foundation of its ongoing rebuild, entrusting Lamina’s poise, vision, and championship pedigree to steer its attack.
“For me, siyempre fulfilling kasi wow, ako yung isa sa mga napili nila ng Team Galeries. It shows yung trust na ako pa talaga yung napili. Very happy and very grateful,” Lamina said.
The 24-year-old playmaker brings a decorated résumé from National University, where she helped steer the Lady Bulldogs to three UAAP women’s volleyball championships while also winning three Best Setter awards.
“Since I am from a champion team, which is NU, ang mabibigay ko lang at mao-offer ko sa Galeries ay kung gaano ako ka-competitive inside and outside the court at yung hard work, discipline, at yung work ethic ko,” she added.
Capital1 followed with a high-impact selection of former University of Santo Tomas libero Detdet Pepito at No. 2, reuniting her with longtime friend and 2025 first overall pick Bella Belen as she begins her professional career.
Pepito, a two-time UAAP Best Libero who anchored UST to five consecutive Final Four appearances, is expected to bolster the Solar Spikers’ backcourt alongside Roma Mae Doromal and Rachel Jorvina.
“Actually, mixed emotions pero sobrang grateful and thankful lang talaga ako kay Lord na pinapangarap ko lang makapasok dito sa PVL and now, number two pick. Pressured, pero thankful pa rin talaga kay Lord, and I will try my best to help Capital1,” Pepito said.
“Habang papunta nga ako sa red carpet, tinitingnan ko siya. Nagt-throw back lang yung teammates kami since elementary. Ngayong nandito ako sa PVL, siya yung ka-teammate ko at si Pia Abbu. Sobrang happy lang and excited ako na mas may matutunan din sa kanila,” she added, reflecting on her reunion with Bella Belen and former UST teammate Pia Abbu.
Choco Mucho then used the third overall pick to secure Far Eastern University setter Tin Ubaldo, strengthening its playmaking core alongside Deanna Wong and Tia Andaya.
Akari passed on its first-round selection, allowing Nxled to grab University of the Philippines outside hitter Irah Jaboneta at fifth overall.
Farm Fresh picked UST’s Jonna Perdido, PLDT selected University of Perpetual Help System Dalta’s Fianne Ariola, and defending All-Filipino champion Creamline closed out the first round by taking Adamson University’s Barbie Jamili.
In the second round, five teams opted to pass again, but Capital1 continued to build its roster by selecting University of the East middle blocker Khy Cepada at ninth overall.
Galeries Tower then added middle blocker Ann Asis, while Farm Fresh selected Ela Raagas with the 10th and 11th picks, respectively.
No selections were made in the third round as the Solar Spikers, Highrisers, and Foxies all opted to pass on their remaining picks.
As a result, the 27 players who went unselected will become free agents and are now free to sign with any PVL team of their choosing.
