THE biggest name in the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft class was nowhere to be found when teams took a closer look at the incoming talent pool on Friday.
Consensus No. 1 pick Alyssa Solomon was a surprise absentee in Day Two of the PVL Draft Combine, skipping the scrimmages that gave coaches, team officials, and management representatives a closer evaluation of the 42 draft aspirants.
READ Lams Lamina says it's back to zero for her as she turns pro
Solomon, however, did not leave teams completely in the dark.
According to PVL commissioner Sherwin Malonzo, the former National University star’s camp informed the league earlier in the day that she would be unable to participate in the combine games.
Malonzo added that Solomon is currently weighing opportunities overseas while keeping her draft application active.
“Ang umabot sa’kin, hindi ito direct [confirmation], may offers at opportunities siya na tinitignan abroad. Wine-weigh niya ‘yung options kung tutuloy sa draft o pupunta abroad,” said Malonzo.
The development adds another layer of intrigue surrounding the player widely expected to be selected first overall by Galeries Tower in next week’s draft.
Solomon, fresh off her overseas debut with Japan SV.League runner-up Osaka Marvelous, has previously admitted that her decision to turn professional in the PVL remains far from final despite entering the draft pool.
With the June 1 withdrawal deadline still in place, Malonzo said he hopes Solomon keeps her name in the draft as a form of protection should her overseas plans not materialize in the long run.
“Kung pwede, magpa-draft pa rin siya. If she gets drafted, the team will offer her a contract. From that offer, then she decides.”
“If you play abroad kasi, wala namang assurance na for the next three years, nasa abroad ka eh. Safety net pa rin ‘yung babalik at babalik ka eh.”
Malonzo also reiterated the implications should Solomon ultimately decide to withdraw from this year’s draft despite already participating in the opening day of the combine.
Under league rules, the 6-foot-2 opposite hitter would have to undergo the entire draft process again next year if she pulls out before draft day.
The only scenarios in which Solomon would no longer need to re-enter the draft are if she goes unselected this year and becomes eligible to sign as a rookie free agent, or if she gets drafted, spends at least one year with her PVL club, and is subsequently released.
For now, Solomon’s draft future remains one of the biggest unanswered questions hanging over the league.
And with the withdrawal deadline fast approaching, both the PVL and teams holding high draft picks can only wait to see whether the most coveted prospect in this year’s class chooses to stay in the draft or pursue another chapter overseas.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
