Bound for the pro ranks: Two Cebuana spikers picked in 2026 PVL Rookie Draft

CEBU, Philippines — Two Cebuana spikers are headed to the pro ranks after being selected in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Rookie Draft last Wednesday, June 3, at the Novotel Manila Araneta City in Quezon City.

They are Jimy Jean “Barbie” Jamili of Liloan and Khy “KC” Cepada of Catmon.

The 23-year-old Jamili, outside hitter of the Adamson Lady Falcons, was taken as the No.8 overall pick by the Creamline Cool Smashers.

Cepada, team captain of the University of the East (UE) Lady Red Warriors, was picked first in the second round and ninth overall by the Capital1 Solar Spikers.”Maka-proud kaayo silang duha,” said Liloan Councilor Kath Jumapao, who flew all the way to Manila to support Jamili and Cepada in the annual draft.

An outstanding athlete turned public servant, Jumapao was a volleyball varsity player with the University of San Carlos (USC) Lady Warriors during her college days.

Only 11 players were drafted out of 38 aspirants, with Lams Lamina of the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs coming out as the top overall pick by the Galeries Tower Highrisers.

The second to fourth picks were Detdet Pepito of the University of Santo Tomas (Capital1), Tin Ubaldo of FEU (Choco Mucho Flying Titans), and Alyanna Ong of Mapua University (ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles).

Rounding out the first-round selections were Irah Jaboneta of the University of the Philippines (NXLED Chameleons), Jonna Perdido of UST (Farm Fresh Foxies), and Fianne Ariola of the University of Perpetual Help (PLDT High Speed Hitters).

Aside from the 22-year-old Cepada, the other draftees in the second round were FEU’s Ann Asis (Galeries Tower) and De La Salle University’s Ela Raagas (Farm Fresh).