KHY Cepada expected to hear several names called ahead of hers - and not her own so soon.
The former University of the East standout admitted she was caught completely off guard when Capital1 selected her ninth overall and first in the second round of the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft, setting off a whirlwind of emotions that quickly turned into a fangirl moment.
“Hindi ko po talaga in-expect na matawag po yung pangalan ko agad this second round kaya very happy po. Sobra,” she exclaimed.
The shock only intensified moments later when she found herself sharing the stage with the very player she has long looked up to.
For years, Cepada admired Bella Belen from afar. Now, she finds herself as Belen’s teammate in a Solar Spikers squad rapidly stockpiling young talent.
“‘Yung UAAP idol, PVL idol ko po talaga ngayon is si ate Bella po. Sabi ko nga po nu’ng sine-shake ko po ‘yung hand niya sa stage, parang, ‘Oh my God, totoo ba ’to?’” she shared.
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“Sobrang na-shock talaga ako. Nothing but gratitude po din sa Capital1 kasi na-pick po nila ako.”
Up is the only way to go
The moment represented a dramatic shift for a player who spent her collegiate years battling through difficult seasons with a UE program that often found itself at or near the bottom of the standings.
Yet through those struggles, Cepada emerged as one of the Lady Warriors’ brightest spots, developing the fighting spirit that helped keep her competitive.
Now, she plans to bring that same mentality to a Capital1 side with far loftier ambitions.
“‘Yung mga experience ko po sa college na maganda po, ita-try ko po na dalhin po ‘yun sa bago ko pong team,” she said.
And with Belen, Vanie Gandler, and the rest of the Solar Spikers beside her, Cepada believes that fighting spirit can only burn brighter.
“Palagi ko pong sinasabi na lalaban po ako at magiging mas palaban pa po ako kasi sila po ‘yung kasama ko po sa lineup, si ate Bella, si ate Vanie, so laban pa rin at very excited for the next conference,” she said.
From admiring Belen from the opposite side of the UAAP court to sharing the same colors with her in the PVL, Cepada’s draft night dream has become reality.
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