Capital1 spoiled for choice at No. 1 as Bella Belen leads 60 PVL draft hopefuls

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While Bella Belen's PVL plans remain up in the air due to overseas interest, the Capital1 Solar Spikers still have a platoon of options with their first-ever top overall selection on June 8

MANILA, Philippines – The red carpet has been set for former NU superstar Bella Belen as the PVL announced its first list of 2025 rookie draft hopefuls on Monday, May 26, shortly after the Capital1 Solar Spikers won the lottery with the first overall pick.

For all intents and purposes, the draft is only a toss-up from No. 2 onwards as Belen — should she push through with her draft plans and not pursue any overseas gigs — is the consensus top overall selection for a Solar Spikers side that struggled without the record-setting offense of import Marina Tushova.

While Belen’s withdrawal remains a real possibility up until a day before the June 8 draft, Capital1 is still spoiled for choice at No. 1 with a platoon of pro-ready hopefuls still ready for the taking, like wing spikers Lyann de Guzman of Ateneo, FEU’s Chen Tagaod, and former La Salle champion hitter Alleiah Malaluan.

Capital1 team owner Milka Romero, though surely thrilled with the idea of Belen in a Solar Spikers jersey, is avoiding tunnel vision ahead of the draft, should Belen fly out last-minute.

“I take it day by day. Of course, [Belen is] in the shortlist. That’s what I can say,” Romero said. “But what the team needs is more important and what we see in our long-term plan with the management and the coaches…. We don’t want to just think of the moment.”

The Solar Spikers could also go big at No. 1 like ZUS Coffee the year prior, and select capable middle blockers like UE’s Riza Nogales, Ateneo’s middle/opposite AC Miner, FEU’s Jean Asis, or even three-time champion middles Erin Pangilinan or Sheena Toring of NU.

Former NCAA MVP Mycah Go is also a very solid choice, should Capital1 not let her fall into the hands of waiting Strong Group Athletics teams, Farm Fresh and ZUS Coffee, at third and fifth overall, respectively. Go is a product of the College of Saint Benilde, coached by ZUS mentor Jerry Yee.

Dark horses aplenty

With no clear consensus picks for the rest of the first round, a mad scramble for the draft prospects is widely expected as teams start ticking names off their respective wish lists.

Other notable picks include Fil-Am setter and Alas Pilipinas invitee Tia Andaya, La Salle’s Jules Tolentino, Jyne Soreño, and Jessa Ordiales, Pia Abbu and Ren Peñafiel of UST, Mayang Nuique and Ayesha Juegos of Adamson, UP’s Nica Celis, and many other UAAP and NCAA stars and role players.

Five mystery picks from Canada are also in the pool: Yveian Orpiano, Clara Serrano, Reinali Calisin, Divine Cortez, and Mary Ann Rioflorido.

Former UP Integrated School spiker Angela Jackson is the youngest of the bunch at just 20 years old, while the oldest hopeful is 40-year-old Rose Joy Pinuela from Olivarez College.

The applicants’ true strengths will soon be measured as the draft combine is set for May 30 to 31 at the Paco Arena in Manila. – Rappler.com