For Detdet Pepito, the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft was a night filled with both celebration and heartbreak for the University of Santo Tomas community.
While Pepito realized her dream of turning professional after being selected second overall by the Capital1 Solar Spikers, and teammate Jonna Perdido landed with the Farm Fresh Foxies at No. 6, another familiar name was left waiting.
Xyza Gula, one of UST’s most resilient players in recent years, went undrafted despite a collegiate career marked by perseverance and clutch contributions.
Still, Pepito believes Gula’s PVL journey is far from over.
“Well, huwag mawalan ng pag-asa, of course. Nandito lang kaming mga Ate niya to support her,” Pepito said.
“For sure, may makukuha at makukuha na teams sa kanya at hopefully, kung saanman na team siya magpunta, give your best at again, nandito lang kami.”
Bond Beyond Wins and Losses
The message carried extra weight coming from a teammate who shared some of the biggest moments of Gula’s collegiate career.
The bond formed inside the UST program goes beyond wins and losses, and Pepito was quick to remind Gula of everything she has already overcome to reach this point.
Xyza Gula joined the Golden Tigresses in Season 85 and became an important contributor during UST’s runner-up finish in Season 86, providing energy and offense off the bench. Her journey, however, took a difficult turn in Season 87 when she sustained a displaced tailbone fracture, forcing her to miss the campaign.
Instead of letting the setback define her, Gula worked her way back and returned in Season 88, helping UST secure a bronze-medal finish in one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory.
Resilience as Proof of Potential
For Pepito, that resilience alone is proof that Xyza Gula has what it takes to eventually break through at the professional level.
“Try lang nang try. Gusto kong sabihin na proud ako palagi. Proud ako sa’yo, Xyza, sa pinerform mo sa UAAP, sa tapang mo, at sa pinagsamahan natin,” Pepito shared.
“Sobrang proud ako. Nandito lang kami ni Ate Jonna mo para sa’yo.”
Xyza Gula Looks Ahead as a Free Agent
Although she was not among the 11 players selected during draft night, Xyza Gula now enters a free-agent market that includes several notable UAAP standouts still looking for opportunities.
Pepito remains confident that teams searching for energy, toughness, and attacking firepower will eventually take notice.
She pointed to the mindset instilled by UST mentor Kungfu Reyes as a reflection of the kind of player Gula has become.
“Of course, ’yung iconic line nga ni Coach Kungfu na ‘Dalhin mo buong Tacloban sa bawat palo mo.’ Ganon katapang ’yung bata na ’yon,” Pepito said.
“Ang laki ng tiwala ko sa kanya na mapupunta siya sa talagang mas kailangan siya ng team.”
While draft night may not have unfolded the way Xyza Gula hoped, Pepito believes it is only a detour, not the end of the road.
And if her former teammate’s career has shown anything, it is that Xyza Gula has never been one to back down from a challenge.
