All Bella Belen asked from Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos was a simple yet meaningful request — give Capital1 Solar Spikers a chance.
There was no grand pitch or heavy persuasion, just an open invitation to listen and see what the young Solar Spikers were trying to build.
For the top overall pick of the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Draft, it was never about convincing two established stars to immediately buy into the project.
Instead, it was about offering perspective — allowing Gandler and Santos to hear the vision firsthand, then understand the team’s direction and feel the sincerity behind Capital1’s long-term plans.
That moment of openness ultimately proved pivotal.
“Lalo na nung All-Star, talaga sinabi ko sa kanila na hindi lang naman sila kung sino yung mga Cignal players na kasama ko, bigyan nila kami ng chance,” said Belen after the Solar Spikers announced the signing of the two reigning Most Valuable Players on Friday.
“Na makinig (sila) sa kung ano yung platform ni Capital1, ano ba yung direction namin as a team. Nabigyan kami ng chance na sabihin sa kanila kung ano ba ‘yung gusto namin sa team,” added the All-Filipino Conference Best Outside Spiker, who played a key role in convincing the two stars to join Capital1.
From there, Gandler and Santos saw something worth becoming part of — not just talent on the floor, but a program determined to build real chemistry and identity from the ground up.
For Belen, it was an answered prayer after helping carry the Solar Spikers to the play-in stage of the All-Filipino Conference before eventually bowing to Galeries Tower Highrisers.
“Ako talaga, I really manifested and prayed for it na may makuha kami from the Cignal team kasi, siyempre, with the likes of Ate Vanie at Ate Erika, malaking help sila sa Capital1,” shared Belen.
It became evident in the previous conference that Capital1 badly needed additional firepower, with Belen often carrying the bulk of the offensive load.
While the reigning All-Filipino Rookie of the Conference consistently delivered as the focal point of the Solar Spikers’ attack, the team struggled to find steady support from the rest of the rotation.
But with Gandler and Santos now on board, Capital1 suddenly gains a much-needed boost in offensive depth and versatility.
“Kaya nga, sabi ko kanina, lahat ng tulong na puwede naming makuha, kukunin namin,” said the former National University star, who has developed a close relationship with Gandler during their time together with Alas Pilipinas over the past two years.
“So ayun, sobrang happy lang ako kasi siyempre yung owners, sila Miss Milka (Romero), talagang very open sila. Tinanong nila yung players, yung coaches, kung sino ba sa tingin namin ang puwedeng makatulong for the team sa mga susunod na conference,” she added.
Belen said she is eager to learn from two of the league’s most prolific scorers and is excited about what lies ahead for the Solar Spikers.
“Yung nga, lagi ko namang sinasabi, volleyball kasi is team effort talaga. So ayun, marami silang experience, nakapag-Finals na sila. So I believe marami silang pwedeng madala sa Capital1,” said Belen.
“And ganun din naman kami; marami rin kaming puwedeng matutunan sa kanila. And ayun, excited lang ako kung paano namin mabubuo yung connection namin all throughout the season.”
