Bella Belen during the final day of the PVL Rookie Draft combine at Paco Arena in Manila.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Bella Belen is pushing through with the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft as she attended the final day of the combine on Saturday at Paco Arena.
Amid the uncertainty surrounded her intention to join the PVL, the three-time UAAP MVP out of National University reaffirmed her commitment to the PVL Draft Night on June 8 at Novotel.
READ: Bella Belen expected to attend second day PVL Draft combine
Bella Belen commits to the #PVLDraft2025
The three-time UAAP MVP says she will push through to the first and only pro volleyball league in the Philippines @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/cxj0us7qrz
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) May 31, 2025
“Yes po kasi siyempre, at the end of the day, nandito naman tayo sa Pinas. Pilipinas pa rin ang mamahalin,” Belen told reporters.
“Buo naman na po yung loob ko na magpapa-draft.”
When Belen passed her application by the May 23 deadline, she expressed in an interview that she was still weighing her options, including a possible overseas stint and focusing on Alas Pilipinas.
Belen missed the first day of the combine on Friday due to her commitment to NU in Ilocos Norte, which was booked by the school earlier, appearing in a mall opening and supporting the Nazareth School represented NCRAA team, which ruled the 2025 Palarong Pambansa secondary girls’ volleyball final.
“We had just arrived around 7:30 a.m., and they told me I could at least drop by. But I said, I already missed yesterday. I told myself, maybe my body can still handle attending at least half a day of the combine. At the end of the day, it’s about setting priorities,” said Belen in Filipino.
“At NU, we had a commitment because of the SM opening event in Laoag. That was scheduled way before. It’s something we always do whenever we win the championship. As long as my body can handle it, and wherever I’ve made a commitment, I’ll do it. I’ll show up no matter what.”
READ: PVL: Bella Belen leads stacked rookie draft class
The do-it-all outside spiker is projected to be the top overall pick of this talent-rich 60-player draft class.
But she won’t rest on her laurels as she still joined the scrimmages and drills on Day 2 to prove herself.
“Hindi ko naman po iniisip na ako yung magiging number one pick since marami ring talented players na nagpa-draft. Hinihintay ko rin po kung sinuman po yung team na pipili sa’kin. Hindi ko naman siya pride na ‘ay, number one ako, ganyan.’ Hindi pa rin po,” Belen said.
“Iba pa rin po siyempre kasi may combine para makita ka ng coaches and mga leaders ng PVL teams kung paano ka makipag-interact with other players.”
The 22-year-old Belen went sentimental, seeing her high school coach Babes Castillo conduct the combine and doing the drills with her teammates, Sheena Toring and Erin Pangilinan, as she enters a new chapter after 11 years with NU from high school to college.
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“It kind of felt like a relapse earlier. I was with Ate Erin and Ate Sheena, and they mentioned that Coach Babes [Castillo] was there. I was like, “Oh right, he used to be my coach.” It’s been such a long time since we last saw each other,” she said.
“It was really overwhelming—and honestly, a bit sad. I was thinking, “Just yesterday was my last day at NU, and now I’m already here at the draft.” It’s a little emotional, but I’m honestly so excited to go pro. I can’t even explain how excited I am.”
