CAPITAL1 has won the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft Lottery, securing the No. 1 pick overall for the pro volleyball league's second draft set on June 8.
With the prized pick, the Solar Spikers are poised to land the services of consensus top pick and three-time UAAP MVP Bella Belen, barring a last-minute change of heart for the former NU Lady Bulldogs star.
The Romero-owned franchise had the second-best chance at landing the top pick with three balls in the lottery, but ended up beating top favorite Nxled which suffered the toughest luck in the proceedings.
The 2025 PVL Draft will take place on Jun. 8 at Novotel Manila Araneta City.
It was a development that caught Capital1 co-owner Milka Romero as the year-old franchise moved a step up the drafting order from their No. 2 pick in 2024.
"Clearly, sa reaction ko talaga, pang-pageant yung surprise ko," Romero said.
READ Bella Belen, Alohi Robins-Hardy head 60 applicants to PVL Draft
"Again, it’s always chance. With lotteries like this, it’s really given to chance. Now, as a management, we won’t take that chance for granted and it’s an opportunity for us to strengthen the team statistically and technically.
"We’re building this team. Last draft helped a lot. This one would build into what we already started with my sister. Mandy and I are very excited that we can bring in more players, especially with what has transpired [in the lottery]. Sana, meron tayong magic six na mabi-build."
In the biggest surprise of the night, Nxled, which had a 40-percent chance of winning with four of the 10 balls in the lottery, ended up sliding all the way down to No. 4.
Galeries Tower, with two balls in the lottery, moved up one spot to second overall while Farm Fresh will pick No. 3 ahead of hard-luck Nxled.
Full drafting sequence set
Following a series of tiebreaking draws hours before the lottery, the PVL has finalized this year's selection order for the 2025 draft.
Capital1 will make the first pick ahead of Galeries Tower, Farm Fresh and Nxled, as determined by the lottery.
Taking the combined rankings of the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference and 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference into account, picks five to 12 have also been settled.
2025 PVL ROOKIE DRAFT ORDER
- Capital1
- Galeries Tower
- Farm Fresh
- NXLED
- ZUS Coffee
- Cignal
- Choco Mucho
- Chery Tiggo
- PLDT
- Akari
- Petro Gazz
- Creamline
Meanwhile, he two-day draft combine will be held from May 30 to 31 at the Paco Arena, with the final list of applicants set on Jun. 4.
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