Lady Luck smiled on Capital1 after drawing the first overall pick in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Draft Lottery held Monday evening at the TV5 Media Center in Mandaluyong.

Despite having just a 30 percent probability of getting the No. 1 selection compared to favored Nxled, which had four balls in the draw bowl, the Solar Spikers got their name picked first, much to the delight of team owner Milka Romero.

“I’m really thankful. Thank you, God. In this second year in the PVL we were able now to get the first pick. It’s an exciting Draft season since there’s a lot of new players joining the PVL (Draft),” said Romero, who owns the club along with sister Mandy.

“We’ve seen in the UAAP the performance of new generations of players. So, I’m very excited that Capital1 will have the buffer to get the first pick,” added Romero, whose squad selected Leila Cruz as second overall in the inaugural Draft last year.

The result gives the Solar Spikers a prime opportunity to strengthen their roster with top-tier young talent in the Draft scheduled on 8 June at the Novotel.

Entering the lottery with a 30-percent chance of landing the top pick, Capital1 benefited from a draft order determined by the combined results of the 2024 Reinforced Conference (accounting for one-third of the calculation) and the 2024–25 All-Filipino Conference (contributing the remaining two-thirds).

This coveted position gives the Solar Spikers a valuable chance to add a key piece to their young and steadily developing core including an opportunity to select highly touted winger and three-time UAAP Most Valuable Player Bella Belen.

“First of all, thank you, Michele (Gumabao),” quipped Romero, after the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference MVP drew Capital1 during the lottery.

“Of course, I’m so honored to be part of this draft. For us, this would help us improve. This is our second year and our second season. My sister (Mandy) and I are very happy because this gives new teams to equalize and get better along with the other teams.”

Belen’s draft status, however, remains uncertain, as she continues to weigh her options and has not made a final decision about her future.

She can withdraw until the Draft Combine set from May 30-31 at Paco Arena.

Galeries Tower, which had only two balls in the lottery, secured the second overall pick. The Highrisers also picked third in last year’s draft, using that selection to acquire Julia Coronel.

Meanwhile, 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.

In contrast, Nxled, who held the highest probability at 40 percent, slid down to the fourth pick in a result that turned what was expected to be a triumphant evening into one of frustration and disappointment for the Chameleons.

ZUS Coffee, which made Thea Gagate the No. 1 overall pick last year, is a testament to how impactful the draft can be for rebuilding teams.

The Thunderbelles made waves with their performance in the recent All-Filipino Conference and will aim to sustain that momentum with the fifth pick this year.

Cignal follows behind in sixth.

Choco Mucho edged Chery Tiggo in a tiebreaker to secure the seventh pick, relegating the Crossovers to the eighth slot.

PLDT, meanwhile, holds the ninth overall pick.

Akari won its own tiebreaker against All-Filipino Conference champion Petro Gazz, retaining the 10th spot.

The Angels will select 11th.

For the second consecutive draft, Creamline will select last at 12th overall.