TICKLED PINK: Romero raves about PVL Draft prospects

Highly touted Bella Belen as top overall pick is a no-brainer, but Capital1 is keeping its cards close to its chest just in case the talented winger chooses to withdraw from the 2025 Premier vvVolleyball League (PVL) Rookie Draft.

The three-time University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Most Valuable Player was among the 60 aspirants who signed up for the Draft slated on 8 June.

Belen, however, initially declared that she’s still weighing her options of pursuing a career in the PVL or trying her luck to play overseas.

Capital1, owned by businesswomen and sisters Milka and Mandy Romero, has expressed interest in landing the top prospect after drawing the rights for the No. 1 overall pick during the Draft Lottery held Monday night at the TV5 Media Center in Mandaluyong.

“I take it day by day. Of course, she’s on the shortlist. That’s what I can say,” Milka Romero said.

“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,” she added.

“We want to think of next year and many more seasons to come and who will be there to build the foundation. There’s still so much we want to build with this team, so it’s all very interesting and exciting.”

Belen, who helped National University win three UAAP titles in the last four seasons and a member of the women’s national team, could serve as a cornerstone for the young franchise.

But that is if she doesn’t withdraw her application.

In an earlier interview, the 22-year-old open spiker said she’s unsure of her next move and would wait until the Draft Combine that will run from Friday to Saturday at the Paco Arena to decide.

The Solar Spikers could still opt for other outstanding talents if Belen backed out.

“Of course, we have a shortlist. We’re looking between some players that we want for that first draft pick. We still have a Combine. We don’t want also to bring our hopes up. We want to see everyone from the technical, statistical and performance point of view on who will be that first pick for Capital1,” Romero said.

This year’s deep batch of aspirants includes UAAP standouts in Sheena Toring and Erin Pangilinan of NU, AC Miner and Lyanne de Guzman of Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University’s Alleiah Malaluan, Baby Jyne Soreno, Julyana Tolentino, and Jessa Ordiales; Far Eastern University’s Jean Asis, Chenie Tagaod, and Ann Monares; University of Santo Tomas’ Pia Abbu and Renee Penafiel; University of the East’s Riza Nogales; and University of the Philippines’ Nica Celis.

National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 97 MVP Mycah Go of College of Saint Benilde is also in the fray along with veteran Filipino-American setter Alohi Robins-Hardy. Prospects from other local collegiate and amateur as well as those coming overseas have declared for the draft.

The final list of Draft prospects will be released on 4 June.

“There’s a lot of names to choose from in this draft and it’s very exciting to watch because we’re spoiled for choice,” Romero said.

Capital1 picked Leila Cruz as second overall pick in the inaugural Draft last year before adding Roma Mae Doromal and Jenya Torres at No. 14 and No. 20, respectively.

Galeries Tower will pick second overall, followed by Farm Fresh, Nxled, ZUS Coffee, Cignal, Choco Mucho, Chery Tiggo, PLDT, Akari, Petro Gazz and Creamline.