Capital1 owner Milka Romero, right, reacts after the Solar Spikers win the PVL Rookie Draft lottery.–PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Capital1 has set its sights on three-time UAAP MVP Bella Belen in the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft after landing the top overall pick in the lottery on Monday.

Capital1 team owner Milka Romero vows they will make the most of the opportunity in picking first in a talent-rich draft class.

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

If Bella Belen pushes through in the #PVLDraft2025, the three-time UAAP MVP is part of Capital1’s shortlist.

Team owner Milka Romero says their coaches will make the most of the talented draft pool. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/EB1Nm0MjaO

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) May 26, 2025

Asked about Belen, who declared for the draft but also has an option to play overseas, Romero said the National University star is part of their “shortlist” for the June 8 draft at Novotel.

“I take it day by day. Of course, she’s part of the shortlist. That’s what I can say, but what the team needs is more important and what we see in our long-term plan with the management, the coaches just because we don’t want to think of the moment but we want to think of next year and many more seasons to come and who will be there to build the foundation,” Romero told the reporters. 

“We still have a combine. We don’t want also to bring our hopes up. We want to see everyone in the technical, statistical and performance point of view on who will be that first pick for Capital1,” she added.

Romero is leaving everything to coach Roger Gorayeb and his staff, who picked up the right pieces last year as second overall, drafting Leila Cruz and getting a steal in the second round with libero Roma Mae Doromal.

READ: Bella Belen declares for PVL draft but keeps options open

Capital1 team owner Milka Romero shares her thoughts after winning the Draft Lottery. #PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/EzepU5k90P

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) May 26, 2025

“Our coaches will be there, our management will be there. We’ll leave it to them. As owners, we pave the way and the direction but it’s up to the experts to really hone in on how we want this team to be built with me and my sister,” she said.

The star rookies with Russian import Marina Tushova led the Solar Spikers to the franchise’s first-ever playoff appearance in the 2024 Reinforced Conference before falling short to Cignal in a knockout quarterfinal despite the league record of 50 points by Tushova.

The Solar Spikers finished with a 1-10 record in the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference preliminary and went winless in the qualifying and play-in rounds.

“We’re building this team. Last draft helped a lot. This one would build into what we already started with my sister and I are very excited that we can bring in more players, especially with what has transpired [in the lottery]. We hope to build a magic six,” she said.