Former UST Golden Tigresses captain Detdet Pepito was taken No. 2 overall by the Capital1 Solar Spikers, headlining UST’s 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) draft class on Wednesday, June 3, at Novotel Manila in Quezon City.
Former UST outside hitter Jonna Perdido, who opted to forgo her remaining UAAP eligibility after returning from injury in Season 88, was chosen No. 6 overall by the Farm Fresh Foxies.
Xyza Gula, meanwhile, went unselected in the draft and now enters free agency.
Pepito is set to reunite with longtime friend, three-time UAAP champion and reigning Rookie of the Year Bella Belen. She also became the highest-drafted Golden Tigress since the PVL Draft was introduced in 2024.
“Sobrang grateful ko lang din kay Lord kasi pinapangarap ko lang makapasok dito sa PVL, and now No. 2 pick pa,” Pepito told reporters. “I feel pressured pero I will try my best to help Capital1.”
“Slowly, magbi-build muna ng chemistry sa bagong team ko at aaralin ang system nila. Siyempre, mangangarap pa rin na hopefully sa amin naman mapunta ang championship.”
The two-time UAAP Best Libero is expected to strengthen Capital1’s floor defense alongside team captain Roma Mae Doromal, newly acquired standouts Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos, and second-round pick Khy Cepada, a former UST player.
Pepito will also reunite with fellow former Golden Tigress Pia Abbu, who joined the Solar Spikers last year.
A product of UST’s high school volleyball program since UAAP Season 78, Pepito moved up to the collegiate ranks and won the Best Libero award in Seasons 85 and 86.
Capital1 finished eighth in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference with a 4-5 record.
Perdido, meanwhile, is set to reunite with UST volleyball director and former head coach Kungfu Reyes, who now serves on Farm Fresh’s coaching staff.
“Masaya ako dahil magiging coach ko ulit si Coach Kungfu,” Perdido said in a scrum interview. “Goal ko lang din na makatulong sa kanila at maipakita kung ano ang mga na-experience at natutuhan ko sa UST.”
Perdido will also team up with former Tigresses Imee Hernandez and Pierre Abellana at Farm Fresh.
Only 11 players were selected out of the 38 draftees, as eight were picked in the first round’s nine selections before just three more were chosen in the second round, after which all teams passed on their remaining picks.
