National University aces Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon will remain with the Lady Bulldogs after opting to skip the 2024 Premier Volleyball League draft.
Both players were not part of the list released by the PVL, which is set to hold its first-ever rookie draft on July 8.
Belen and Solomon played pivotal roles in helping NU secure its second championship in three seasons after sweeping the University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 86 finals.
(C) Joaqui Flores/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
The 5-foot-8 outside hitter Belen nabbed her second Season MVP award in the process, while the 6-foot-1 opposite spiker Solomon won the Finals MVP plum.
Both Belen and Solomon are currently preparing with Alas Pilipinas for the FIVB Challenger Cup.
Come the UAAP tournament, NU will still have its core that also has the likes of Camilla Lamina, Sheena Toring, Vange Alinsug, and Shaira Jardio, along with young guns Arah Panique and Nathasza Bombita.
With the two passing up on the draft, the De La Salle University trio of Thea Gagate, Leila Cruz, and Julia Coronel headline the list of players for the inaugural draft.
A total of 50 players applied for the draft, and only 47 passed the screening. These players are set to undergo the PVL Draft Combine from June 25 to 26.
