IF it was up to Capital1 head coach Roger Gorayeb alone, the No. 1 pick of the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft is set in stone.
“Si [Bella] Belen. Si Belen talaga, kung yun lang ang panuntunan namin, kung kapag babasehan mo, UAAP lang,” Gorayeb said.
“[Alyssa] Solomon wala naman diyan kaya Belen talaga ang huhulma sa amin.”
The consensus No. 1 pick left Day 2 of the draft combine roughly an hour before Gorayeb arrived at the Paco Arena for the series of scrimmages.
When it comes to that coveted first selection, the multi-titled Solar Spikers mentor will still honor what the rest of the coaches and team management have to say before locking in a rather expected top pick.
“Nasa top ng list namin siya. Mahirap magsalita nang tapos, pero ako, kung ako pipili. Belen ako,” Gorayeb said.
“Kailangan namin yung style ng laro niya. Magbe-blend siya nang husto doon sa team namin. Alam mo naman, nagpapalakas kami kaya piliin na namin yung first choice na magaling talaga.”
For the good of Philippine volleyball
It wasn’t until Saturday, four days before the draft aspirants’ confirmation deadline, in which Belen publicly stated her intent to pursue her application amid talks of a potential overseas stint.
READ: Belen will be on the board come PVL Draft
As such, Gorayeb lauded Belen’s decision to turn pro in the country and forego her bid to play abroad.
“Para sa’kin, maganda yung decision niya ngayon kasi iba yan eh. Iba yung opportunity na makapaglaro pa rin [sa Pilipinas],” said Gorayeb.
“If they're looking for a good salary, maganda talaga dito. Kaya lang siyempre, marami pa kaming hindi nano-notice kaya titingin-tiningin lang, pero siyempre, maganda siyang choice sa first pick.”
The Solar Spikers mentor also emphasized the team’s intent to secure at least two picks in the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft on June 8, with an outside hitter and a middle blocker among his top priorities.
Among the first few names he raised were the likes of Far Eastern University’s Jean Asis, La Salle’s Alleiah Malaluan, and National U’s Sheena Toring.
“At least ngayon, mauuna ako sa pagpili. Mapipili ko yung kailangan talaga. Kailangan na lang naman namin, sa ngayon, isang outside at isang middle siguro,” he furthered.
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