THE race for Alyssa Solomon may have a clear frontrunner, but Galeries Tower is making sure it does not get caught flat-footed if the biggest prize in the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft suddenly becomes unavailable.
Highrisers head coach Aying Esteban admitted that Solomon remains the overwhelming favorite and a no-brainer to be drafted first overall.
READ: Alyssa Solomon skips Day 2 of PVL Draft Combine, weighs next move
“Kahit sinong team, du’n nakatingin eh. Sabi nga, paunahan na lang kung sinong [makakuha],” said Esteban.
Solomon's draft stock further rose in the past year after a stint with Japan SV.League runner-up Osaka Marvelous in her first overseas stint, but uncertainty continues to hover over her draft status.
The 6-foot-2 opposite hitter skipped the second day of the PVL Draft Combine, where coaches and team officials were present to watch the series of scrimmages, fueling speculation that overseas offers remain a strong consideration.
As a result, Galeries Tower has started to prepare alternative scenarios should Solomon decide to withdraw from the draft and pursue opportunities overseas.
“Kasama ‘yun [sa considerations]. Kung hindi kukunin ‘to, sino ba ‘yung next namin. Naka-plano lahat ‘yun. Hindi naman tayo pupunta sa ganito nang hindi naka-plano lahat ng pwedeng mangyari,” Esteban said.
The contingency planning, however, should not be mistaken as the Highrisers cooling on Solomon. Esteban acknowledged that Solomon remains the benchmark against whom every other prospect is being measured.
“Hindi nawawala ‘yung option na siya [Solomon] talaga ‘yung number one pero siyempre, tinitignan pa rin namin kung talagang mag-fit ba ‘yung position o magsasayang lang kami ng players sa bandang huli na napuno naman ‘yung lineup namin du’n," he said.
“Until now, talagang undecided kami kung sino ‘yung kukunin.”
The uncertainty surrounding Solomon comes despite prior interactions between the player and the franchise.
Esteban revealed that Solomon joined Galeries Tower in training weeks ago, although one that proved to be brief as Solomon sought to train with the Highrisers and stayed for roughly one full session before leaving shortly after.
Rising against the odds
As a team that does not possess the same financial flexibility as some of the league's established contenders, Galeries Tower understands the importance of maximizing every opportunity available in the draft, whether Solomon ultimately remains in the pool or not.
“Hindi namin alam kung hanggang ilang rounds kami tatagal kasi si Galeries, hindi naman ganun [kalaki] sa budget sa players. Pero sinasabi nga namin, hangga’t kayang gawan ng paraan, gagawan namin ng paraan," Esteban said.
For now, the Highrisers continue to monitor Solomon's situation while fine-tuning their draft board behind the scenes.
After all, owning the No. 1 pick comes with the privilege of choice, but also the responsibility of being ready when plans suddenly change.
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