IT’S all systems go for Bella Belen’s long-awaited PVL debut.
Having ticked off Alas Pilipinas duties from his bucket list earlier this year, the No. 1 pick of the 2025 PVL Draft will finally don the yellow-and-blue kits for Capital1 in the Reinforced Conference this October.
As the last rookie from the 2025 draft class yet to play in the league, Belen confirmed her pro debut shortly before capping her college career in the first-ever jersey retirement ceremony done by National University - her home for 11 years.
READ Belen’s jersey rises to rafters as NU retires first-ever number
“I'm very excited na to play sa PVL kasi parang ako na lang yata ang 'di pa nakakapaglaro na na-draft, kung 'di ako nagkakamali,” Belen said.
Seeing her fellow rookies begin their pro careers during the PVL on Tour and the PVL Invitational fueled Belen’s desire to suit up for a Solar Spikers team that went winless in the preseason and in dire need of a spark plug.
After being green-lit by the league and the Philippine National Volleyabll Federation to return to their mother teams, there’s no stopping Belen’s PVL debut now.
“Sa tuwing pinapanood ko 'yung mga kasabay kong nagpa-draft sa PVL, I'm very happy kasi talagang nage-excel sila sa kani-kaniyang team,” she said. “I’m very excited kung ano 'yung pwede kong madala for PVL and kung ano 'yung pwede kong magawa for Capital1.”
The three-time UAAP MVP is motivated to prove her worth as the top overall pick.
READ How Bella Belen took the news of jersey retirement with NU
“Mas more on excitement 'yung nafi-feel ko kaysa kinakabahan. First [time] ko sa PVL, so ako, parang kailangan ko lang gawin kung ano 'yung ginagawa ko sa UAAP. Pero siyempre, alam naman natin na magkaiba 'yung competition sa UAAP and sa PVL kaya kailangan ko lang mag-show up.
“Ngayon, sa training, unti-unti kong kinikilala 'yung teammates ko at unti-unti kaming nagje-jell kaya pagdating sa October, next month, liga, kumpleto, maayos na 'yung team.”
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