Alyssa Solomon may be the consensus top prospect in the 2026 PVL Draft, but with questions surrounding her availability, Galeries Tower finds itself facing a franchise-defining decision.
The Highrisers hold the coveted first overall pick after winning last week’s Draft Lottery, giving them the first crack at a draft class headlined by Solomon, a former National University champion fresh off a stint with Japan SV.League runner-up Osaka Marvelous.
But with the June 1 withdrawal deadline looming, Solomon’s future remains far from settled.
Galeries Tower, Alyssa Solomon Still in Waiting Game
The 6-foot-2 opposite hitter was notably absent during Day 2 of the PVL Draft Combine scrimmages on Friday, adding another layer of uncertainty to an already intriguing draft process.
According to PVL commissioner Sherwin Malonzo, Solomon informed league officials that she would miss the combine games as she continues to evaluate overseas opportunities 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.
Complications for Highrisers
The uncertainty has naturally complicated Galeries Tower’s preparation for the June 3 draft.
While Alyssa Solomon remains widely regarded as the most talented player available, Highrisers head coach Clarence Esteban stressed that the organization is still evaluating all possible scenarios.
“Siyempre, kahit sinong team doon nakatingin eh kay Alyssa Solomon. Kahit sino. So sabi nga, paunahan na lang kung sinong makarating. Pero hindi nawawala yung option na siya talaga yung number one,” said Esteban.
“Pero siyempre tinitingnan pa rin namin kung talagang magfi-fit, kung sa position ba, o magsasayang lang kami ng players sa bandang huli. Per position kasi yung hinahanap namin, so medyo until now talagang undecided kami kung sino yung talagang kukunin namin.”
A Rebuild Put on Hold?
Galeries enters the draft following a major roster overhaul that saw only four players from its 2025 squad retained before the team rebuilt through free agency.
Despite limited preparation time, the Highrisers still managed to win two games in the 2026 All-Filipino Conference. Now, armed with the first overall selection, the franchise has an opportunity to accelerate its rebuild by landing a potential cornerstone piece.
“Until now, nag-aano pa rin kami ng mga coaches, ng management kung sino talaga yung kailangan namin. Actually, marami talagang kailangan yung team namin this season,” Esteban admitted.
“Hindi pa rin nawawala yung first pick kung sino ang nandiyan. Kailangan namin ng tagapuntos, kailangan namin ng taga-depensa. Kung sino ang mapag-usapan na talagang kakailanganin ng team namin, yun ang kukunin namin.”
For her part, Alyssa Solomon has also stopped short of confirming her participation in the draft, despite attending the combine’s opening day.
“‘Di pa naman firm yung decision pero we’ll see. Thankful pa rin ako na nandito ako. Nakakapagpa-draft ako,” she said on Thursday.
Malonzo, meanwhile, encouraged Solomon to keep her name in the draft pool even if overseas opportunities remain on the table, noting that a PVL contract could serve as a safety net should international plans not materialize.
For now, however, both the league and Galeries Tower can only wait.
And until Alyssa Solomon makes a final decision, the most important pick of the 2026 PVL Draft remains very much up in the air.
