ALAS Pilipinas head coach Jorge Souza de Brito assured that consensus No. 1 pick Bella Belen and Fil-American setter Tia Andaya will be present at the 2025 PVL Draft Combine from May 30 to 31.
The national team will have training sessions on both days of the combine ahead of the 2025 AVC Women's Volleyball Nations Cup from June 7 to 14 in Hanoi, Vietnam.
READ: Capital1 team owner sees No. 1 pick as a 'turning point for us'
But even with Alas Women’s first international competition of 2025 fast approaching, de Brito made it clear that the team won’t hamper the national team duo’s bids to turn pro in the PVL.
“We have training tomorrow and Saturday, [but] they will do their best to attend an important event for Philippine volleyball,” de Brito told SPIN.ph.
The Brazilian mentor acknowledged that there has to be some sort of a compromise to make ends meet for Belen and Andaya when it comes to fulfilling both their duties as national team players and PVL draft aspirants.
“They will be there for sure, but I doubt if they [will be there] for training, [or do] hard practices before joining there [PVL Draft Combine],” de Brito said.
Juggling time for Bella, Tia
Belen is the projected top pick of the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft, granted that she won’t withdraw at the last minute to pursue a potential overseas stint.
With the first overall pick, Capital1 also bared that the three-time UAAP MVP is in their shortlist of prospective selections come draft night.
“Of course, nasa shortlist siya. 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, the coaches,” Solar Spikers co-owner Milka Romero said.
Meanwhile, 24-year-old Andaya is a well-travelled playmaker who has already showcased her skills in the U.S., Albania, and Romania.
Her immediate aim is to secure one of Alas’ setter spots, along with captain Jia de Guzman, in the final roster and to eventually land a new home for her pro career in the PVL come the league’s second-ever draft on June 8.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
