AKARI made history on Wednesday night - just not in the way most teams hope to during draft season.
Holding the fifth overall pick in the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft, the Chargers elected to pass and eventually came away without a single rookie, an unprecedented move in sports.
READ: Galeries Tower makes Lams Lamina the No. 1 pick in 2026 PVL draft
While teams have passed on later-round selections, there is no known modern precedent in the PBA or other major pro league of a franchise voluntarily passing on a first-round pick altogether.
The last time a development of such nature transpired domestically was in the 2016 Philippine Superliga (PSL) Draft, a league that carried semi-professional status at the time, when RC Cola-Army traded the No. 1 pick to F2 Logistics for the No. 8 pick, then opted not to select anyone with its acquired pick.
As it turns out, Akari’s draft board this year was lean and mean.
Assistant coach Eddieson Orcullo revealed that the Chargers entered draft night with their sights set squarely on two prospects: National U setter Lams Lamina and University of Santo Tomas libero Detdet Pepito.
Only, both players were gone long before Akari was on the clock, as Lamina went first overall to Galeries Tower then Pepito was snapped up moments later by Capital1.
“Absolutely, meron. May first and second (choices), kaya lang talagang dumating lang sa point na hindi namin nakuha ‘yung dalawa," Orcullo told SPIN.ph.
“‘Yung dalawa na ‘yun talaga ang kailangan talaga ng team namin. Dahil nga nauna na ‘yung dalawang teams na mag-select kaya we decided to pass na rin.”
Akari's all good
Orcullo admitted that Akari had contingency plans in place, but after discussions with head coach Tina Salak and team management during the draft, they decided it was better to stand pat than add players who did not fit what they were looking for.
“‘Yung management and coaches, nakapag-usap naman kami regarding do’n with coach Tina. So far, ok naman kami dun sa result na nangyari," he added.
The decision also reflects the Chargers’ confidence in the roster they already have.
Outside of the draft, Akari’s lone offseason addition has been former Cignal wing spiker Tin Tiamzon, whose arrival the team believes is enough to address its needs without risking disruption to an already-cohesive lineup.
“Confident na magiging maayos ‘yung takbo ng team ngayon. So far, maganda naman ‘yung chemistry, ‘yung galaw ng bawat isa from libero to setter to wing and middle spikers," Orcullo said.
“Maganda naman ‘yung relationship ng bawat isa, kaya I think magiging maayos din ‘yung takbo ng team.”
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