BELLA Belen is leaning towards applying for the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft.
With four days left before the application deadline, SPIN.ph learned that the three-time UAAP MVP is in the process of finalizing her decision that will shape the next chapter of her volleyball career.
On the other hand, fellow graduating National U ace Alyssa Solomon is seriously contemplating playing overseas. As everyone knows, playing abroad is financially more rewarding.
READ PVL hopefuls enter final week before draft deadline
Solomon has told friends that she wants to play abroad while Belen, on the other hand, is reportedly more inclined to stay home and join the PVL.
If Belen stays, Nxled has the highest chances of landing her as the team holds a 40 percent chance of landing the No. 1 pick, which many believe would be the NU star.
If the Chameleons get unlucky, the other three teams that could secure the No. 1 pick are Capital1, Farm Fresh and Galeries Tower.
Besides Belen the other half of the Lady Bulldogs’ graduating champion quartet in former team captain Erin Pangilinan and former UAAP second best middle blocker Sheena Toring are also entering the draft.
The league will release its final list of eligible applicants on Jun. 4, shortly after the two-day combine from May 30 to 31. - John Mark Garcia
Terrafirma player wishes Dyip have Kai Sotto in team
WHEN Terrafirma was down by a wide margin over San Miguel in their match-up on Sunday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center-Montalban, there was one player in the building that would certainly change its fortune.
The guy was right there, just across where the players on the bench were huddled. Unfortunately, they could not tap him and save their game. His name: Kai Sotto.
If only he was playing with us the result would have been different, joked one of the Terrafirma players as San Miguel continued to tear the Dyip apart. The remark elicited laughter from his teammates.
Sotto was joined at the Ynares Sports Center by his Japan B.League team Koshigaya Alphas to watch the PBA games. The Alphas delegation led by head coach Ryuzo Anzai also visited the practice of Rain or Shine to observe.
READ Kai Sotto's B.League coach has one thing he can learn from Guiao
Sotto, playing in a Terrafirma uniform, is unlikely to happen, now or in the future.
For one, Sotto has just signed a new deal with the Koshigaya Alphas, who put their trust in the 7-foot-3 Gilas Pilipinas standout despite being in the middle of his rehab from an ACL injury he sustained last season in the B.League.
As his international career continues to flourish, the 23-year-old Sotto won’t be applying for the PBA Draft any time soon. And even if he applies, Terrrafirma might not be there to pick him as the franchise has been up for sale the past several months.
And for the sake of argument, do you think the presence of Sotto will change the fortunes of Terrafirma with its currently constituted lineup?
Maybe, but more likely, not as the Dyip suffered another loss, 128-89, their sixth in seven games, placing them last in the standings.- Reuben Terrado
Will TNT answer EASL call?
WILL TNT return and represent the PBA again in the East Asia Super League?
The Tropang 5G are the only team which have won championships in Season 49 of Asia’s pioneering pro league, making it absolutely qualified to play in the third season of the EASL Home-And Away Tournament which features champion ballclubs from the different leagues around East Asia.
A PBA official said there has been no decision on which team will represent the Philippines.
“Pag-uusapan pa sa board yan,” said a source, noting that the PBA is in the midst of a busy period as the league is preparing for its golden anniversary season.
Two teams from each four league-member of the EASL are allowed to play, meaning the champion of the ongoing Philippine Cup will also be in consideration.
Barangay Ginebra is among those being considered too after it finished runner-up twice to TNT during the Governors’ and Commissioner’s Cup, respectively.
Problems may arise though, since Tim Cone is also coach of the Gilas Pilipinas men’s team, while Scottie Thompson, Jamie Malonzo, Japeth Aguilar, and naturalized player Justin Brownlee are part of the unit’s 12-man rotation and he probably won't put their health in jeopardy by playing in another tournament so near from the big one.
If indeed TNT gets the PBA nod, it will be the second time for the franchise to see action under the EASL’s revised home-and-away format.
The Tropang 5G last played in the regional tournament during the inaugural season of the new set-up which saw Rondae Hollis-Jefferson initially teaming up with Quincy Miller and then later on, playing together with brother Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson.
The telecommunication franchise though, failed to advance in the Final Four and limped home with a 1-5 record in the group stage. - Gerry Ramos
Big reveal of new Gilas jersey set in July
Following the announcement of adidas being the official outfitter of Gilas Pilipinas, people were curious about what the national team’s uniform will look like.
Fans were used to seeing the old uniform where the word ‘Pilipinas’ was inscribed in front of the jersey. Some are speculating that the ‘three stripes’ brand might adapt the ‘Philippines’ wordings used when it was the official outfitter of the country’s delegation to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
At the moment, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is keeping the design under wraps.
“Yes,” said SBP executive director Erika Dy, when asked if there is already a design. “But adidas doesn’t want to unveil that until maybe around July.”
Incidentally, it will be the Gilas Pilipinas Women's team which will likely be the first to wear the new jersey. That would be in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025 in Shenzen, China from July 13 to 20.
The men’s team will be next when it plays in the FIBA Asia Cup from August 5 to 17 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. - Reuben Terrado
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