Barbie Jamili did not expect to be picked in the 2026 PVL Draft. She got picked anyway—and landed in one of the best places she possibly could.
The former Adamson Lady Falcon was selected eighth overall by the Creamline Cool Smashers at the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft on Wednesday at Novotel Manila Araneta City in Quezon City, becoming the team’s lone selection in the draft proper. And waiting for her on the other side of that pick was a familiar face.
Galanza Vouches for Jamili
Jema Galanza—Creamline veteran, former Conference and Finals MVP, and fellow Adamson alumna—made clear the Cool Smashers did not take Jamili out of loyalty to a shared school. They took her because they saw something real.
“‘Di naman din siya pipiliin ng coaches at ng team kung wala din talaga siyang maibibigay para sa amin. Nakitaan talaga siya ng potential,” Galanza said.
She went further, drawing a line between Jamili’s profile and what Creamline is built around—a system that rewards all-around players who trust the process over individual flash.
“Nasa magandang team siya kasi especially si Jamili, all-around din siya. ‘Di din siya gano’ng katangkaran, pero nandu’n yung power, explosive din siya. So ‘yung team naman, sistema siya eh,” Galanza said. “So I think kapag matiyaga ka lang, masipag ka, kakayanin naman niya yung sistema na meron yung Creamline. So basta tiyagain niya lang, huwag siyang magmadali.”
The message was clear: fit in, work hard, and don’t rush it. Creamline has won 11 league titles playing a certain way. Jamili’s job is to learn that way—and earn her place within it.
Jamili, for her part, is still processing the moment.
The Journey Begins Now
“Sobrang happy and mixed emotions lang kasi hindi ko in-expect na mapi-pick ako,” the rookie said. “Na-starstruck ako siyempre… Ang sarap sa feeling kasi hindi talaga ako nag-expect.”
Joining an 11-time champion as an eighth overall pick on a roster full of decorated veterans would do that to anyone. But Jamili is not just showing up to watch.
“Ibibigay ko lang best ko kung ano meron ako, and I’m willing to learn sa bagong team ko ngayon and sa ates ko,” she said.
Galanza sees something in her. Jamili is ready to prove it.
