Capital1 owner Milka Romero flashed a wide smile as she greeted a familiar pack of volleyball reporters during a short lull in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Rookie Draft held Sunday night at the Novotel Manila.

“So, first of all, surprise! I think all of you were surprised, right?” the ever-amiable young club boss teased.

As expected, Bella Belen was selected as the top overall pick by the Solar Spikers, ushering in what the elder of the Romero sisters called a new era for the barely two-year-old team.

The three-time University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Most Valuable Player out of National University is expected to bring her explosiveness and well-rounded skills to the team looking to make its mark in the league.

No less than Milka and her sister Mandy led the selection of Belen among the 57 aspirants in the final list of draft prospects.

Unfortunately, the three-time UAAP champion was unavailable on draft night due to her tour of duty with Alas Pilipinas in the ongoing AVC Nations Cup in Vietnam.

Playful and bubbly as usual, Belen prepared a pre-recorded speech expressing surprise.

“Ako?” she gasped, before delivering the rest of her speech.

“It’s been my dream to become a professional volleyball player. Although I’m not there in Novotel, I’m with all of you in spirit,” Belen added.

“I’m very proud of all the draftees and excited to start this journey with Capital1. From golden blue to yellow and blue — parang walang nagbago.”

Mandy Romero expressed confidence that Belen will be a game-changer for Capital1.

“We are truly honored to have had the first overall pick. Bella is a generational talent. She’s a game-changer. This marks a new era for Capital1,” Mandy said.

Milka, who was also joined by her father, businessman and sportsman Mikee Romero, in the formal event, felt the same.

“Definitely, this is a new era and new energy for our franchise. We all know Bella Belen is a franchise maker. She’s a game-changer and we will really take care of her and the fans who will now be fans of Capital1,” she said.

Belen will reunite with national team head coach Brazilian Jorge De Brito, recently appointed Solar Spikers mentor replacing Roger Gorayeb, and last year’s No. 2 pick and Alas teammate Leila Cruz.

Determined to parade a formidable lineup for the Reinforced Conference later this year, Capital1 picked two more players with middle blockers Pia Abbu of University of Santo Tomas going 14th overall in the second round and Ivy Aquino of Asian Institute of Maritime Studies in the third round (24th overall).

Galeries Tower used the No. 2 overall pick to acquire Far Eastern University (FEU) middle blocker Jean Asis.

Controversial Filipino-American setter Alohi Robins-Hardy formally joined Farm Fresh at No. 3 overall.

Lyann De Guzman was selected by Nxled as fourth overall pick, followed by her Ateneo de Manila University teammate AC Miner at fifth with ZUS Coffee while Cignal reinforced its frontline with NU’s Erin Pangilinan at No. 6.

Choco Mucho in a surprising choice, got another playmaker in Fil-Am Tia Andaya at No. 7; Chery Tiggo added a winger in La Salle’s Jyne Soreno; former Lady Spiker Alleiahn Malaluan went to PLDT, FEU’s Chenie Tagaod joined Akari; La Salle’s Julyana Tolentino was selected by Petro Gazz while Creamline welcomed NU’s Sheena Toring as 12th overall pick to end the first round.

Malaluan was named Star of the Night in the glamorous and glitzy Draft, which saw the rookie aspirants all dolled up, wearing creations from top local designers, and had their hair and makeup done by the who’s who in the industry.

Adamson University’s Mayang Nuique opened the second round as 13th overall pick by Nxled. Winnie Bedana of University of Perpetual Help System Dalta was No. 15, joining Galeries Tower, followed by FEU’s Ann Monares (Farm Fresh), former National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) MVP Mycah Go (ZUS Coffee), La Salle’ Jessa Ordiales (Cignal), Adamson’s Kylene Villegas (Choco Mucho), the pair of Enderun Colleges products Erika Deloria (Chery Tiggo) and Zenith Perolino (PLDT), Emilio Aguinaldo College’s Jamaica Villena (Akari) and University of the Philippines’ Nica Celis (Creamline). Petro Gazz passed in the round.

Riza Nogales of University of the East was selected 25th overall by ZUS Coffee followed by UST’s Renee Penafiel (Chery Tiggo) and Lyceum of the Philippines University’s Joan Doguna (Akari).

Nxled, Galeries Tower, Farm Fresh, Cignal, Choco Mucho, PLDT and Creamline skipped the third round.

ZUS Coffee added 20-year-old Angela Jackson at 28th overall to start the fourth round while Reyann Canete of San Beda was the No. 29th and last name to be called in the Draft by Chery Tiggo.

Capital1 and Akari passed in the fourth round before ZUS Coffee and Chery Tiggo followed suit.

Undrafted players automatically became free agents and will be available for direct signing by interested teams.