UAAP standout Bella Belen is eager to make her PVL debut for Capital1

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. The young star was in attendance at the Ynares Center in Montalban as her new team remained winless in the ongoing PVL On Tour, losing 20-25, 26-24, 23-25, 25-18, 15-11, to the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles on Sunday, July 6.

Belen revealed later in a media interaction that she wished she could help Capital1 but still has to wait to make her debut due to Alas Pilipinas commitments.

I KNOW, VAMFYR RYT? 🧛‍♀️

Top pick overall Bella Belen makes her presence felt in Montalban as she’s seen in the crowd of the Chery Tiggo-Akari game at the 2025 PVL on Tour!#PVL2025 #TheHeartofVolleyball #OSTimeout #PVLonTour pic.twitter.com/e9sTLKTPmk

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) July 6, 2025

“It’s just too bad I couldn’t play. I should have been there playing with them. But I know I need to wait for a little while since I have to be with the national team,” Belen said.

As of now, the spiker is currently training with her Capital1 teammates and getting used to playing under head coach Jorge Souza de Brito’s new system. The 23-year-old admitted she is still adjusting to being out of her comfort zone.

“Of course, I was shy at first since I’m just coming off the UAAP and coming in late. Pia and Ivy were already training when I came in. But slowly, I’m building chemistry with the team. They are all easy to work with and I know some of the players. Everyone’s nice.

“It feels different. When we were in college, we were always together and lived in the same dorm. Now, we are on our own. You’re just by yourself when you go back to your condo after training. You just have to take care of yourself and learn to live independently,” she concluded.

Belen is expected to make her much-awaited professional debut in the PVL Reinforced Conference in October.

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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