No surprise as Bella Belen picked first in PVL Rookie Draft

Bella Belen, the top overall pick in the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft, expresses her gratitude to Capital1 through a video message. Belen is with Alas Pilipinas in the AVC Nations Cup in Vietnam.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — As expected, Bella Belen was the top overall pick in the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft by Capital1 on Sunday night at Novotel.

Belen, the three-time UAAP MVP out of National University, missed the draft proceedings due to her commitment with Alas Pilipinas in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup in Hanoi, Vietnam.

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READ: PVL Draft: Bella Belen is the no-brainer top selection

As expected, Capital1 selects three-time UAAP MVP Bella Belen as the top overall pick of the #PVLDraft2025 .@INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/oHdwF5QQW7

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) June 8, 2025

The 22-year-old Belen validated her status as the best player in a stacked rookie class, scoring 12 points off the bench to help Alas Pilipinas beat Indonesia and stay unbeaten in the tournament at 2-0.

The do-it-all outside spiker was with Alas and new Capital1 coach Jorge Souza De Brito and Leila Cruz, who was the Solar Spikers’ second overall pick last year and played an instrumental role in the 2024 Reinforced Conference quarterfinals appearance with Russian import Marina Tushova authoring the top three scoring records in the league.

READ: PVL: Gorayeb says Bella Belen ‘perfect fit’ for Capital1

Bella Belen, who is with Alas Pilipinas in Vietnam, expresses her gratitude to Capital1. #PVLDraft2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/LH9i41moQO

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) June 8, 2025

Capital1 banks on Belen to turn the franchise’s fortunes around. Belen certainly has what it takes to do just that having led the Lady Bulldogs to three UAAP championships. She also became the league’s first-ever Rookie-MVP in women’s volleyball.

The Solar Spikers, however, will have to wait for Belen, who is committed to join Alas during the national team period until October. She is also expected to make the final roster for the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in December.

Eyeing a middle blocker, Galeries went with Jean Asis from Far Eastern University as the second overall selection.

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Farm Fresh picked Alohi Robins-Hardy at No. 3 after the setter made it clear days before the draft that she will only play if she ends up with the Foxies.

Nxled, which ended up picking fourth despite having the best odds in the lottery, tapped Lyann De Guzman of Ateneo.

READ: PVL Draft: AC Miner’s dad not missing daughter’s special day

ZUS Coffee, last year’s top overall pick, fortified its frontline with AC Miner as the fifth overall pick to reinforce with Rookie of the Year Thea Gagate.

NU’s three-time champion Erin Pangilinan joined Cignal, while Choco Mucho added another setter in Alas Pilipinas’ Tia Andaya as its seventh pick.

Chery Tiggo drafted Jyne Soreño, who is looking up to fellow La Salle product and Crossovers star Ara Galang.

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PLDT bolstered its roster with Alleiah Malaluan of La Salle, teaming up with her fellow ex-Lady Spikers Kianna Dy, Majoy Baron, and Kim Fajardo.

FEU star Chenie Tagaod will still be handled by coach Tina Salak after Akari selected her as 10th overall.

All-Filipino champion Petro Gazz drafted setter Jules Tolentino of La Salle, while NU’s champion player Sheena Toring joined the most successful PVL club, Creamline and her college coach Sherwin Meneses to end the first round.

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