UAAP MVP Bella Belen banners the upcoming PVL Rookie Draft.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Three-time UAAP MVP Bella Belen headlined the talent-rich list of applicants for the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft on June 8 at Novotel.

Belen, who finished her decorated UAAP career as a three-time champion with National University, beat the May 23 deadline but also made it clear that she is still keeping her options open.

READ: Picking first, Capital1 eyes Bella Belen in rookie draft

Also part of the initial list that has a total of 60 aspirants are Belen’s fellow Lady Bulldogs Erin Pangilinan and Sheena Toring.

Another NU star in Alyssa Solomon skipped the draft as she looks to pursue an opportunity overseas.

Capital1, with 30 percent chance in the lottery, won the top overall pick on Monday night at TV5 Media Center.

Galeries Tower, which had only two balls in the lottery, secured the second overall pick. 

Farm Fresh defied the odds to climb into the third overall slot, despite having just a 10-percent chance of landing a top-three pick and losing to Galeries in a tiebreaker conducted by the Games and Amusement Board.

READ: PVL: Capital1 wins lottery, to pick first in rookie draft

In contrast, Nxled, who held the highest probability at 40 percent, slid down to the fourth pick.

La Salle seniors also applied for the second-ever draft with Alleiah Malaluan, Jyne Soreño, Jules Tolentino, and Jessa Ordiales joining the stacked class.

Far Eastern University stars Chenie Tagaod and Jean Asis, Ateneo duo Lyann De Guzman and AC Miner, University of Santo Tomas’ Pia Abbu and Ren Peñafiel, University of the Philippines skipper Nica Celis, Adamson’s May Ann Nuique and Ayesha Juegos and UE’s Riza Nogales also eye spots in the pros.

Two Filipino-American setters Alohi Robins-Hardy and Central Washington University’s Tia Andaya of Alas Pilipinas also made the application deadline. At 6-foot-1, Robins-Hardy is the tallest prospect in this year’s class after her direct hire with Farm Fresh didn’t push through last year.

NCAA Season 97 MVP Mycah Go of College of Saint Benilde leads the pack from the Grand Old League with Arellano University’s Kristine Adante, Cherry Mae Cuenca, Pauline De Guzman, and Nenita Padua; Letran’s Angelique Ledesma and Lea Tapang; EAC’s Jhan Pauline Fortuno and Jamaica Villena; JRU’s Maliey Amante, Karyla Jasareno, and Jerry Lyn Laurente; Lyceum’s Zonxi Jane Dahab and Joan Doguna; San Beda’s Jan Gregorio and Reyann Cenete; San Sebastian’s Von Dimaculangan; and Perpetual Help’s Winnie Bedana.

Additional UAAP players who submitted applications include Adamson’s Julea Dawn Lopena, Aliah Marce, May Jeannalyn Roque, and Kylene Villegas; FEU’s Lyka Bautista; NU’s Pearl An Denura and Jerrymie Ann Turaray; and former UP Integrated School standout Angela Jackson. Jackson, a 5-foot-9 outside hitter, is the youngest applicant in the pool and is set to turn 21 this June.

Five Filipino-Canadian players are also part of the draft class: Yveian Orpiano (Concordia University of Edmonton), Reinali Calisin (Lawrence Technological University), Clara Serrano (Olds College), Divine Cortez (University of Saskatchewan), and Mary Ann Rioflorido (Toronto Metropolitan University).

READ: Bella Belen declares for PVL Rookie Draft but keeps options open

Rounding out the list are Shane Carmona, Erika Deloria, and Zenneth Perolino from Enderun Colleges; Ivy Aquino from the Asian Institute of Maritime Studies; Gerlie Trilles from CIT Colleges of Paniqui Foundation; Eika Bucog from Lyceum-Batangas; Rose Joy Pinuela from Olivarez College; Roxanne Tan from USJR; and Ezriah Martinez from the University of the Cordilleras.

Pinuela is the eldest in the class at 40 years old.

The current list of applicants remains provisional and may change depending on the results of the qualifying stages, as well as the completion and verification of all required documents.

These aspirants will see action in the Draft Combine on May 30 and 31 at Paco Arena.