Bella Belen is expected to participate in Day 2 of the 2025 PVL Draft Combine, after missing the first day, according to league commissioner Sherwin Malonzo.
National University superstar Bella Belen is expected to join the action on Day 2 of the 2025 PVL Draft Combine, league commissioner Sherwin Malonzo shared on Friday, May 30.
The three-time UAAP MVP is scheduled to arrive on Saturday, May 31, after missing the first day of the two-day event, which gathered a strong turnout of aspiring pro players vying for attention ahead of the inaugural draft.
Belen is reportedly in Ilocos Norte, showing support to the NCR girls' volleyball team, which is bannered by the NU-Nazareth Lady Bullpups.
“Si Bella naman, kausap ko ‘yung I think manager niya. She’s arriving daw tomorrow. We’re expecting her to drop by,” Malonzo told reporters. “Actually, balak ata humabol ngayon pero sabi ko baka matapos na by 4 p.m. Mas maganda sana kung kaninang umaga or ‘yun nga tomorrow na.”
Belen’s attendance would further boost an already competitive pool of applicants. Out of 60 who signed up, 51 participated in Day 1.
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The remaining nine, including Fil-Am setter Tia Andaya, who arrived late, are expected to report on Day 2.
“Ang magiging effect lang nun is hindi sila makikita ng teams natin,” explained Malonzo, referring to the no-shows. “Kung hindi kilala ‘yung player, sila ang mawawalan, pero hindi natin sila tatanggalin.”
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After the combine, the PVL will reach out to every applicant to confirm their commitment to the draft.
“If they reply ‘Yes,’ okay lang, tuloy lang sila. But if they don’t reply or if they reply ‘No,’ then that’s the only time we’ll cut them from the list,” the commissioner added.
As teams prepare to make franchise-altering decisions in the upcoming draft, all eyes will be on Belen’s performance when she finally takes the court Friday, further heating up the race for the No. 1 pick.
[NEXT: 2025 PVL Mock Draft: Post-lottery projections for every first-round pick]