UAAP standout Bella Belen vows to give her all for Capital1 in the upcoming PVL season

UAAP standout Bella Belen was selected as the first overall pick by the Capital1 Solar Spikers in a widely expected move during the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Rookie Draft held on Sunday, June 8, at Novotel Manila in Quezon City.

Widely regarded as the next big thing in Philippine volleyball, Belen faces significant pressure in her PVL debut season, as fans and analysts expect her to bring the same standout qualities and skills she consistently displayed with the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs.

The 23-year-old is currently not part of the Capital1 squad in the ongoing PVL On Tour preseason tournament, as she is representing the Philippine women’s national volleyball team in the VTV Cup in Vietnam.

Belen continues to rack up accolades at the collegiate level, recently earning her third UAAP Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year award. In a media interaction, she expressed her determination to give her all for Capital1.

“The pressure will always be there, especially with people’s expectations. But I will focus more on the expectations I have for myself. I have my own goals, and I will work to exceed what I showed in the UAAP, even if we know that playing in the pros is different from college. I will really do my best,” Belen said.

Bella Belen: Maipapangako ko lang sa Capital1, ipaglalaban ko sila kagaya ng ginawa ko sa NU.#CPCAwards @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/PfPcV0I1hu

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 1, 2025

“One thing I can promise Capital1 is that I will fight for them just like I did for National University. That’s just the kind of person I am. Once I commit to something, I will fight for it.”

Belen has yet to officially join her new team but is already looking forward to building chemistry with her teammates at Capital1.

“At first, it felt a bit strange because I’ve been with NU for 11 years, so I was already used to the people there. When I got to Capital1, it was a completely different set of players, coaches, and management—a totally new environment. I’m excited for the future with Capital1 because I believe they have really talented players, especially with new draft picks like Pia Abbu and Ate Ivy Aquino, who I believe will be a big help to the team. We’ll fight until the end, as far as we can go. The team is still young—built just last year, if I’m not mistaken—so I’m excited to see what I can contribute.”

Despite being in unfamiliar territory, Belen has a sense of comfort at Capital1, as head coach Jorge Souza de Brito, who also leads the Alas Pilipinas national team, will be guiding her once again at the club level.

She acknowledged that building a competitive team takes time, especially with a young roster and a new tactical system.

“Building a team takes time, especially when it comes to connection. Unlike in college, where you’re together in the dorm, the gym, and everywhere else, in the pros, everyone has their own lives, so it really takes time to build a strong team. We’ll take it step by step, just like we did at NU. We didn’t become strong in just one year—it took time. Now, even if we only have a few years, we’ll try our best, especially since we all share the same drive to win and the same passion for the sport.”

Known for her all-around game, leadership, and composure under pressure, Belen has firmly established herself as a pivotal figure in Philippine volleyball. As she transitions to the professional stage with the Capital1 Solar Spikers and continues her role with Alas Pilipinas, she remains a player to watch—poised to leave an even greater mark on the sport.

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