One of the most decorated collegiate athletes in recent memory is taking the leap.
Bella Belen, the face of National University’s women’s volleyball program and a three-time UAAP Most Valuable Player, has officially declared for the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Rookie Draft.
The announcement came Saturday morning during Day 2 of the PVL Draft Combine at Paco Arena, confirming what many fans had been waiting to hear.
Just a week prior, Belen had left the door slightly ajar on Noli Eala’s “Power and Play” radio show, revealing she was still contemplating her next move.
The possibility of pulling out of the draft was real—but as of Saturday, there’s no turning back.
“Opo. Kasi parang siyempre, at the end of the day, dito naman tayo sa Pinas. Pilipinas pa rin ang mamahalin,” Belen said.
“Buo naman na po 'yung loob ko na magpapadraft,” she added.
The 5-foot-8 outside spiker, whose name has become synonymous with NU’s volleyball dominance, skipped Day 1 of the combine due to prior commitments.
Alongside her Lady Bulldogs teammates, Belen attended the opening of SM City Laoag in Ilocos Norte, then stayed to cheer for NU Nazareth School—representing NCRAA—as they clinched the girls' volleyball title in the Palarong Pambansa.
But once she returned to the Combine, it was business as usual.
Day 2 saw Belen and the rest of the draft applicants running through ball drills in the morning and scrimmaging in the afternoon, showcasing their skills before coaches and scouts from PVL teams.
Though widely projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the June 8 draft at Novotel Manila, Belen downplayed expectations. With a talent pool that includes fellow UAAP and NCAA standouts, provincial sensations, and Fil-foreign hopefuls, the NU star remains grounded.
“Hindi ko naman po iniisip na ako yung magiging number one pick. Maraming talented players din yung nagpadraft, so ano lang po ako—syempre hinihintay ko rin kung sinong team yung pipili sa akin,” she said humbly.
“Hindi ko naman po siya like yung pride na ‘ay number 1 ako’. Hindi pa rin po. Kaya nga po may combine para makita ng coaches ng PVL teams kung paano ka makipag-interact with other players.”
Capital1, which defied the odds to win the draft lottery, holds the coveted first overall pick.
Galeries Tower, Farm Fresh, and Nxled follow in the draft order.
Should Capital1 use their pick on Belen, it could mark a franchise-defining moment for a team still carving its identity in the pro league.
Whether it's Capital1 or another squad, Belen focuses more on growth than draft-day glitz.
Despite a résumé that includes three MVP trophies and three UAAP championships, she views the PVL as a whole new mountain to climb.
“I’m very excited na matuto pa nang marami kasi sa PVL mataas na rin yung level ng paglalaro. I believe na marami pa akong pwedeng matutunan from them,” Belen said.
And while her journey with NU may be drawing to a close, she assured that the qualities that defined her collegiate career—relentless effort, discipline, and humility—will continue to shine at the next level.
“Kahit saan man ako mapuntang team, ibibigay ko talaga yung best ko na matulungan kung saan man po akong team, na matulungan maipanalo yung games. ‘Yun lang maio-offer ko—yung hardwork ko, yung sipag ko. Hindi ko siya iiwan sa NU kasi ‘yun yung naging puhunan ko nung nasa NU po ako,” she added.
“Pilipinas pa rin ang mamahalin.”
