Capital1 owner Milka Romero confirms they have a shortlist if top prospect Bella Belen withdraws from the draft

The Capital1 Solar Spikers hit the jackpot as the franchise won the right to pick first overall in the upcoming 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Rookie Draft, during the draft lottery event held in Mandaluyong City on Monday, May 26.

The Solar Spikers entered the draft lottery with a 30 percent chance of securing the top pick and notably benefited from a draft order based on the combined results of the 2024 Reinforced Conference and the 2024–25 All-Filipino Conference.

This gives Capital1 the opportunity to select three-time University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Most Valuable Player (MVP) Bella Belen, who is widely regarded as the future of Philippine volleyball. However, Belen’s status remains uncertain, as she has yet to make a decision and continues to weigh her options. She has until May 30–31 to withdraw her name from the draft.

Capital1 owner Milka Romero spoke about the upcoming Rookie Draft, admitting that while Belen is most likely the top choice, the franchise still has a shortlist in case the UAAP standout decides to withdraw her name.

“I take it day by day. Of course, she is on the shortlist—that’s what I can say. But what the team needs is more important, and what we see in our long-term plan with the management and the coaches, because we don’t want to think only of the moment,” Romero said in a media interaction.

If Bella Belen pushes through in the #PVLDraft2025, the three-time UAAP MVP is part of Capital1’s shortlist.

Team owner Milka Romero says their coaches will make the most of the talented draft pool. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/EB1Nm0MjaO

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) May 26, 2025

“We want to think of next year and many more seasons to come, and who will be there to build the foundation. There is still so much we want to build with this team, so it’s all very interesting and exciting,” she added.

Belen’s current situation remains uncertain after she revealed in an interview that she is unsure of her next move and will wait until the Draft Combine, which takes place on Friday and Saturday, to make her decision.

“Of course, we have a shortlist. We are looking at some players that we want for that first draft pick. We still have a Combine, and we don’t want to get our hopes up. We want to see everyone from a technical, statistical, and performance point of view to determine who will be the first pick for Capital1. There are a lot of names to choose from in this draft, and it’s very exciting to watch because we are spoiled for choice,” Romero concluded.

Notably, Capital1 had the second overall pick in last year’s Rookie Draft, where they selected Leila Cruz before adding Roma Mae Doromal and Jenya Torres at No. 14 and No. 20, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Galeries Tower Highrisers secured the second overall pick, while the Farm Fresh Foxies—who held only one lottery ball—landed the third overall selection.

It was a draft lottery to forget for the Nxled Chameleons, who had the highest probability at 40 percent but only managed to secure the fourth overall pick. The ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles—who made Thea Gagate the No. 1 overall pick last year—have the fifth pick, followed by the Cignal HD Spikers at sixth. The Choco Mucho Flying Titans will pick seventh after beating the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in a tiebreaker.

The PLDT High Speed Hitters will pick ninth, followed by the Akari Chargers at 10th, the Petro Gazz Angels at 11th, and the Creamline Cool Smashers, who will pick 12th and last for the second consecutive season.

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