Capital1 selects Bella Belen as top pick in PVL Draft; Jean Asis lands at No. 2 for Galeries Tower

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

Belen was not present at the event, as she is currently representing the Philippine women’s volleyball national team in the 2025 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup in Hanoi, Vietnam, under head coach Jorge Souza de Brito, who will also lead the Solar Spikers.

“I want to thank the entire Capital1 management, the Romero family, and coach Jorge De Brito. I’m deeply grateful for the trust you have given me to be part of your team. I have dreamed for a long time of becoming a professional volleyball player. Even if I am not in the country for the Draft tonight because I am fighting for the flag and the national team, I am there in spirit, and my spirit is very happy and proud for all those who got selected,” Belen said via a prerecorded message.

HAFFENING SOON IN THE PVL ☀️

Three-time UAAP MVP and champion Bella Belen is selected as the first overall pick by the Capital1 Solar Spikers, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in her volleyball career through the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft.#PVL2025 #PVLDraft2025 pic.twitter.com/EiBc0EHuwR

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) June 8, 2025

“I am really excited to play in the PVL and to suit up for Capital1. From Golden Blue to Yellow and Blue, it feels like nothing has changed. Thank you again, and see you all soon,” she added.

Widely hailed as the next big thing in Philippine volleyball, Belen will face significant pressure in her debut PVL season, as she is expected to bring the same qualities and skills she displayed during her time with the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs.

“We are savoring every moment of this, and we are truly honored to have the first overall pick. Bella is a generational talent — she’s a game changer. This marks the beginning of a new era for Capital1,” Solar Spikers owner Milka Romero said.

Meanwhile, Jean Asis was selected as the No. 2 pick by the Galeries Tower Highrisers after impressing at the PVL Draft Combine. The Farm Fresh Foxies got the player they wanted by selecting veteran setter Alohi Robins-Hardy as the third overall pick, while the Nxled Chameleons chose Ateneo star Lyann de Guzman as the fourth pick. The ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles selected AC Miner as the fifth overall pick.

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