Major Roster Changes in PVL Off-Season 2026

Summary

✓Reviewed by James CarterThe PVL off-season of 2026 has become one of the most active and dramatic periods of player movement in the history of the Premier Volleyball League. Even before the 2026 All-Filipino Conference began, eleven teams had already...

11 min read

Table of contents

1 Why Was the 2026 PVL Off-Season So Active?
2 Petro Gazz and Cignal: The Biggest Off-Season Disappointments
3 Choco Mucho Flying Titans: Major Reset, New Beginning
3.1 Who Are the New Players of Choco Mucho?
3.2 Who Left Choco Mucho?
4 Nxled Chameleons: Five Core Players Released
5 Strong Group Athletics: The Most Active Buyer of the Off-Season
6 PLDT High Speed Hitters: Systematic Rebuild
7 Capital1 Solar Spikers: Eight New Players in One Day
8 Creamline Cool Smashers: End of an Era
9 Akari Chargers: Consolidated Free Agents
10 What Is the Impact of These Changes on the 2026–27 Season?
11 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
11.1 Who is the biggest signing of the PVL off-season 2026?
11.2 Why did Petro Gazz and Cignal take a leave of absence?
11.3 How many players were affected by the 2026 PVL off-season?
11.4 Who won the 2026 PVL off-season sweepstakes?
11.5 Are there Filipino players who moved to overseas clubs?
11.6 How did the off-season moves affect Creamline?
12 Summary: Key Lessons of the 2026 PVL Off-Season
13 References

Reviewed by James Carter

The PVL off-season of 2026 has become one of the most active and dramatic periods of player movement in the history of the Premier Volleyball League. Even before the 2026 All-Filipino Conference began, eleven teams had already made significant roster changes in the PVL off-season 2026 — from extensive rebuilds to big-name acquisitions that changed the league’s landscape. These events signify a new chapter for Philippine volleyball.

In BriefThe PVL off-season of 2026 is full of extensive roster reshuffles: Eya Laure moved to Choco Mucho, Petro Gazz and Cignal filed a Leave of Absence, and Nxled released five core players including Jaja Maraguinot. Strong Group Athletics was the most active in acquiring new players, while Capital1 Solar Spikers overhauled eight more players in one day.

Why Was the 2026 PVL Off-Season So Active?

According to OneSports, the 2026 PVL off-season was “player-driven and movement-heavy” — meaning, not only the teams decided on transfers, but the players themselves actively sought new homes. Key reasons included several underwhelming campaigns last season, Petro Gazz’s departure from active competition, and Cignal Super Spikers’ exit from the league through a leave of absence.

This situation opened many roster spots in various teams, resulting in a series of signings, releases, and transfers that were almost daily topics among volleyball fans throughout the Philippines.

Number of teams that made major roster changes11+ teams (OneSports, January 2026)

New player acquisitions by Capital1 in one day8 players (ABS-CBN Sports, January 7, 2026)

Core players released by Nxled before the 2026 season5 players (OneSports, January 8, 2026)

Championship titles of Rizza Mandapat at Creamline before leaving8 titles (Daily Tribune, January 2026)

Petro Gazz and Cignal: The Biggest Off-Season Disappointments

One of the most dramatic events in the major roster changes of the PVL off-season 2026 was the filing of the Leave of Absence by the Petro Gazz Angels. According to the Wikipedia’s 2026–27 PVL Season article, selected Angels players, including reinforcement Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips, became free agents and were quickly picked up by various teams. The loss of Petro Gazz opened a significant gap in the player market.

Moreover, according to the same Wikipedia source, on April 28, 2026, the Cignal Super Spikers officially released all their players as the team took a leave of absence from the league. Veteran players like Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos became free agents and later moved to Capital1 Solar Spikers on May 14, 2026. The departure of Cignal — one of the founding teams of the PVL — caused a major shift in the competitive landscape of the league.

Important NoteThe simultaneous withdrawal of Petro Gazz and Cignal from active competition gave other teams the opportunity to acquire high-quality players for free — a kind of “windfall” in the volleyball player market that rarely happens in the PVL.

Choco Mucho Flying Titans: Major Reset, New Beginning

The Choco Mucho Flying Titans were at the center of one of the biggest roster changes in the PVL off-season. According to the Daily Tribune, the Flying Titans released four players on separate days: Aduke Ogunsanya, Bia General, Royse Tubino, and Cherry Nunag. These departures were due to the team’s “lackluster outings” in the previous season.

In return, Choco Mucho immediately signed four new players: Eya Laure (member of Alas Pilipinas), Caitlin Viray, Alina Bicar, and Jaila Atienza. The arrival of Eya Laure at the Flying Titans was one of the biggest news of the entire off-season, as Laure is one of the most exciting young players in the current PVL.

Who Are the New Players of Choco Mucho?

Player	Position	Former Team	Status
Eya Laure	Outside Hitter	Alas Pilipinas / Former others	New signing
Caitlin Viray	Middle Blocker	Other team	New signing
Alina Bicar	Libero / Defender	Other team	New signing
Jaila Atienza	Outside Hitter	Nxled Chameleons	New signing

Who Left Choco Mucho?

Aduke Ogunsanya — left and moved to another team
Bia General — moved to Strong Group Athletics
Royse Tubino — also moved to Strong Group Athletics
Cherry Nunag — became a free agent

Nxled Chameleons: Five Core Players Released

Another team that underwent a major roster shake-up was the Nxled Chameleons. According to OneSports, Nxled released five core players before the 2026 PVL season: Jaja Maraguinot, Lycha Ebon, Rachel Jorvina, Jaila Atienza, and Maji Mangulabnan. The departure of Maraguinot — one of the well-known setters in the league — particularly surprised many volleyball fans.

Instead, Nxled joined the major winners of the off-season sweepstakes: according to OneSports, they acquired Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips from the former Petro Gazz Angels, as well as Myla Pablo, Jules Tolentino, and Jonah Sabete as key additions for the team’s new chapter.

“The major roster changes of the PVL off-season 2026 show that teams are ready to invest in the future, even if it requires painful decisions.”

Strong Group Athletics: The Most Active Buyer of the Off-Season

If there is one team that carefully utilized the 2026 off-season, it is the Strong Group Athletics (SGA). According to Rebanse.ph, SGA signed Imee Hernandez, Seth Rodriguez (before moving to PLDT), Renee Penafiel, Cess Robles, and Karen Verdeflor as part of their strengthening. Additionally, according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, SGA also signed former Choco Mucho players Bia General and Royse Tubino, as well as Chie Saet from Petro Gazz, and Remy Palma.

The aggressive approach of SGA in the player market has positioned them as one of the “dark horse” teams for the upcoming season — a change from their previous image as a second-tier club.

Filipino female volleyball players training inside a gymnasium

PLDT High Speed Hitters: Systematic Rebuild

The PLDT High Speed Hitters also conducted a careful roster revamp. According to the Daily Tribune, middle blocker Dell Palomata moved to a club in Indonesia, and in return, PLDT signed Seth Rodriguez. Later, according to Fastbreak, PLDT completed their off-season rebuild in June 2026 by adding outside hitter Joan Marie Monares and middle blocker Winnie Bedaña as free agents. Anj Legacion and Zenneth Perolino also left PLDT.

Why This MattersThe departure of established players like Dell Palomata to overseas clubs shows the growing interest of foreign leagues in Filipino volleyball talents — a positive sign for the development of Philippine volleyball on a global scale.

Capital1 Solar Spikers: Eight New Players in One Day

One of the biggest single-day announcements of the entire off-season was made by the Capital1 Solar Spikers. According to ABS-CBN Sports, Capital1 officially acquired eight new players in less than 24 hours — one of the most aggressive single-session acquisitions in PVL history. Later, on May 14, 2026, according to Wikipedia, Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos arrived from the dissolved Cignal Super Spikers.

Creamline Cool Smashers: End of an Era

For the Creamline Cool Smashers, the most significant and emotional news of the off-season was the farewell of Rizza Mandapat — a player who won 8 championships with the team, according to the Daily Tribune. At the same time, Michelle Morente also left after just one conference with the team. These changes mark the end of a successful era for the franchise.

“Rizza Mandapat is one of the bravest players to step on the PVL court — her 8 titles with Creamline are a legacy that is not easily replaced.”

Akari Chargers: Consolidated Free Agents

The Akari Chargers became one of the teams that actively acquired free agents from the changed landscape of the league. According to Wikipedia’s 2026–27 PVL Season transfer list, Judith Abil (formerly Cignal), Cza Carandang, Mary Rhose Dapol, and Jyne Soreño moved to Akari — giving the team a deeper roster for the upcoming season.

Team	Main Releases	Main Acquisitions
Choco Mucho	Aduke Ogunsanya, Bia General, Royse Tubino, Cherry Nunag	Eya Laure, Caitlin Viray, Alina Bicar, Jaila Atienza
Nxled	Jaja Maraguinot, Lycha Ebon, Rachel Jorvina	Brooke Van Sickle, MJ Phillips, Myla Pablo
PLDT	Dell Palomata, Anj Legacion, Zenneth Perolino	Seth Rodriguez, Joan Marie Monares, Winnie Bedaña
Creamline	Rizza Mandapat, Michelle Morente	Not officially announced yet
Capital1	N/A (new acquisitions)	8 new players + Vanie Gandler, Erika Santos
Strong Group	N/A	Bia General, Royse Tubino, Chie Saet, Remy Palma
Akari	N/A	Judith Abil, Cza Carandang, Mary Rhose Dapol, Jyne Soreño
Petro Gazz	All (Leave of Absence)	N/A
Cignal	All (Leave of Absence, April 28, 2026)	N/A

What Is the Impact of These Changes on the 2026–27 Season?

According to the analysis of the Manila Bulletin, the result of all the roster shuffling is a more competitive league in 2026. It is no longer easy to predict who will win now, as even the former “pushover” teams have enough talent to compete with the established powerhouses. The more balanced distribution of talent across the league results in more exciting volleyball for all Filipino fans.

For those who want to know more about roster changes in other Philippine sports leagues, you can also read the Roster Changes in MPL Philippines 2026 for a complete picture of Philippine sports off-season movements.

Limitations of This ReportThis article is based on reports from January to August 2026. Some roster moves may not be official at the time of writing, or may have changed after the date of our sources. For the most updated information, visit the official social media of PVL or the mentioned sources below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who is the biggest signing of the PVL off-season 2026?

According to OneSports, the arrival of Eya Laure at Choco Mucho and the free agency of Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips from the former Petro Gazz are the most significant news. These are attractive due to the caliber of the players and their major change of affiliation.

Why did Petro Gazz and Cignal take a leave of absence?

Based on available reports, Petro Gazz filed a Leave of Absence before the 2026 All-Filipino Conference. Cignal officially bid farewell on April 28, 2026, according to Wikipedia. The official reasons have not been fully explained by the teams to the public, but they are related to the operational and management considerations of each franchise.

How many players were affected by the 2026 PVL off-season?

Based on reports from OneSports, Daily Tribune, and Inquirer, more than twenty players officially changed teams, became free agents, or left the league during the entire off-season period from January to June 2026. The actual number may be higher as not all roster moves were reported in the national media.

Who won the 2026 PVL off-season sweepstakes?

According to the analysis of OneSports, Strong Group Athletics and Nxled Chameleons are two of the teams that carefully utilized the off-season. SGA acquired many experienced players, while Nxled replaced their old core with a younger and more vibrant lineup including Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips.

Are there Filipino players who moved to overseas clubs?

Yes. According to the Daily Tribune, Dell Palomata of PLDT moved to a club in Indonesia — one of the few Filipino players who moved abroad during this entire off-season. This type of international transfer shows the growing recognition of Filipino volleyball players outside the Philippines.

How did the off-season moves affect Creamline?

The Creamline Cool Smashers lost two well-known players: Rizza Mandapat (8 championships) and Michelle Morente. While Creamline remains one of the powerhouses in the league, these departures show that even the most established teams are not immune to roster shake-ups. Rest assured, watch how the Cool Smashers respond to these changes in the upcoming season. For previews of the 2026 PVL draft that will also affect Creamline, read the 2026 PVL Draft Preview.

Summary: Key Lessons of the 2026 PVL Off-Season

The withdrawal of Petro Gazz and Cignal Super Spikers opened a large free agent market.
Choco Mucho, Nxled, Capital1, and PLDT are the teams that made the most significant roster changes.
Strong Group Athletics was the most aggressive in acquiring new players.
The arrival of Eya Laure at Choco Mucho was the biggest individual signing of the off-season.
More than a dozen veteran players changed teams or became free agents.
The league-wide reshuffle results in a more competitive PVL for the 2026-27 season.

For a deeper analysis of volleyball and other Philippine sports, also visit Cignal Super Spikers, Taking a Break for the complete story of the franchise’s departure from active competition.