Busy stretch for volleyball as PVL Draft takes spotlight

NU’s Bella Belen during a game against La Salle in the second round of UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

There’s a lot of volleyball action already going on, even outside the court.

The PVL Draft now heads into the next phase, with squads that selected 29 out of the 57 hopefuls looking to integrate the rookies into their rosters in time for the next season.

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All eyes will be on Capital1, which stuck to the script and went with National U star Bella Belen, the three-time UAAP MVP and seniors champion who was selected first overall late Sunday evening.

“Bella is a generational talent, she’s a game-changer and this is a new era for Capital1,” team owner Mandy Romero said.

Belen was absent on Draft night as she was with the national team, which had some major developments also on Monday.

Filipino Americans Tia Andaya and MJ Phillips are close to having their federation transfer approved, Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Tats Suzara said.

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“I signed the papers [of Andaya and Philips] already and they will be forwarded to the FIVB (International Volleyball Federation) with some additional documents,” Suzara said of the two standouts, who are currently affiliated with USA Volleyball. “Hopefully, it will be approved by FIVB and then they can play already.”

Suzara, talking to journalists during a press conference for the Alas men’s Invitationals at Novotel on Monday, added that Brooke Van Sickle’s documents are still being processed.

“I have not signed [Brooke’s] document yet. I don’t know if she has accomplished the form … I hope Brooke can submit [the documents soon]. It’s a matter of completing the form because USA Volleyball doesn’t take too much time to sign the approval forms.”

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Andaya and Phillips have been training with Belen and the Alas Pilipinas pool since the national team period began, and they are reportedly playing in the VTV Cup this month in Vietnam.

Andaya was drafted by Choco Mucho in the PVL Rookie Draft on Sunday night.

Galeries Tower, meanwhile, fortified its net protection with No. 2 pick Jean Asis, a former middle blocker for Far Eastern U (FEU).

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“I am so happy among the many, I was given the chance to be the second pick,” Asis said. “Since I have experience [helping FEU rise], I also want to help Galeries to improve its rank.” —WITH A REPORT FROM LANCE AGCAOILI INQ

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