Bella Belen commits to PVL combine, promises to give all to PH club

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Notably absent in the first day of the 2025 PVL draft combine, consensus No. 1 pick Bella Belen promises to travel from the Palarong Pambansa in Ilocos Norte to Manila to catch up with the pro league's pre-draft event

MANILA, Philippines – “What hafen, Vella?“

Memes aside, that was the burning question of PVL observers as the first day of the 2025 rookie combine closed on Friday, May 30, with the consensus projected No. 1 overall pick glaringly absent among her fellow prospects at the Paco Arena in Manila.

Belen, however, clarified her situation in a brief encounter with reporters covering the last days of the 2025 Palarong Pambansa all the way up north in Ilocos Norte, saying that her absence had the blessing of the PVL and that she would commit to the second and final day of the combine on Saturday, May 31.

Per league commissioner Sherwin Malonzo, absentees will not be penalized in any way regarding their applications.

Still not fully committed to staying at home with the PVL due to possible international opportunities, Belen nonetheless promised to showcase her full arsenal with the team lucky enough to acquire her services.

“I’m not thinking about [what PVL team I will land in] because I wasn’t able to attend the first day of the combine, so let’s see what team will pick me,” Belen said in Filipino as she watched her alma mater Nazareth-NU thrash Bacolod Tay Tung-Western Visayas in the Palaro girls’ volleyball final.

“To whichever team it is, I will promise that I will do my best wherever I end up.”

A total of 51 out of 60 applicants showed up for the pre-draft showcase on Friday, with the likes of Alleiah Malaluan, Lyann de Guzman, and AC Miner — all likely top five picks — leading the way. Belen and Alohi Robins-Hardy, meanwhile, were the most notable absentees of the two-day scouting event.

Though Belen is widely expected to not fall past No. 1 with the Capital1 Solar Spikers, the three-time UAAP champion and first three-time MVP since Alyssa Valdez is still keen on respecting the process and will travel back from Ilocos Norte to Manila for double duties: the PVL combine and Alas Pilipinas training. – Rappler.com