Projected top overall pick Bella Belen was a no-show on the first day of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Draft Combine held Friday at the Paco Arena.

The National University product skipped Day 1 of the two-day event, where aspirants get to showcase their wares to woo scouts and coaches from clubs ahead of the 2025 Rookie Draft next week, to support her alma mater’s high school squad participating in the ongoing Palarong Pambansa in Ilocos Norte.

League Commissioner Sherwin Malonzo said they expect the three-time University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Most Valuable Player to show up today.

“I was able to talk to her manager. She’s arriving tomorrow. We’re expecting her to drop by tomorrow,” Malonzo said.

“Actually, she wanted to travel back and attend but I said the (Combine) might be over by around 4 [p.m.]. It would’ve made it if she left early morning, but hopefully she’ll be here.”

The three-time UAAP champion and member of Alas Pilipinas is the consensus choice for the No. 1 pick with her all-around skills.

Capital1 earned the right to select first in the Draft slated on 8 June at the Novotel after a lucky draw during the Draft Lottery held Monday.

However, Belen’s interest in the Draft was in doubt after stating that she’s keeping her options open to try her luck in playing overseas. She mentioned the possibility of withdrawing.

But in an interview after the Palarong Pambansa secondary girls gold medal match, which National Capital Region won at the expense of Western Visayas, 25-12, 25-14, 25-8, Belen hinted that she’ll pursue the Draft.

“I’m not thinking (of being the No.1 pick) since I wasn’t able to attend Day 1 (of the Combine) today,” she said.

“But let’s see which team will be interested in selecting me. And whichever team gets me, I promise to do my best to help that team.”

A total of 51 out of the 60 names that declared for the Draft attended the Combine.

Filipino-American setter Alohi Robins-Hardy, the tallest in the batch at 6-foot-2, also skipped Day 1 as she is currently in a family trip.