The National University trio of Bella Belen, Erin Pangilinan, and Sheena Toring have submitted their intent to join the 2025 PVL Draft, set for June 8.
Among them, the towering duo of Pangilinan and Toring have already made up their minds: the Premier Volleyball League will be their next destination.
“Turning pro na po ako,” the 5-foot-7 Pangilinan told Power and Play with Noli Eala on Saturday.
However, Belen — the three-time UAAP Women’s Volleyball MVP — despite meeting the submission deadline last Friday, shared that she has not fully committed to entering the PVL just yet.
“Hindi pa po kasi puwede pa po mag-withdraw. After combine pa po malalaman kung magpapa-draft ako,” the 22-year-old spiker said.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The combine is from May 30 to 31.
Belen recently signed with the sports agency VMG Asia, and with her decorated collegiate résumé, the agency is still exploring possible opportunities for her abroad. Playing in Japan or Thailand remains a strong possibility for the coming season.
South Korea, however, is off the table, as the KOVO Draft has already passed.
“Secret po, charot. Baka ma-jinx,” Belen said when asked about overseas interest.
For now, Belen’s attention is locked on her commitments with the national team, Alas Pilipinas Women.
Alas has a packed calendar ahead, including the VTV Cup, the AVC Nations Cup, and the SEA V.League.
“National team muna po ang focus ko kasi sunod-sunod po liga ng national team. Ngayon po, maganda po yung components ng team,” said Belen. “Sa tingin ko po may chance po tayo at kailangan lang mag-prepare ng maayos. Chemistry po kasi is a big thing sa volleyball.”
Reflecting on their collegiate dynasty with the Lady Bulldogs, which saw NU win three of the last four UAAP championships, Pangilinan believes the lessons they learned will carry over to the professional stage.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“I think for me po, yung significance ng championships namin is pinapakita namin na hindi na nasa laylayan yung NU. Hindi na kami hinahanap kasi nasa taas na kami. So sobrang happy ako na yun yung nakikita ng ibang tao,” said Pangilinan.
For Belen, there’s one lesson that stands out as she prepares for the next chapter of her career.
“Lagi sinasabi ng coach namin na huwag namin pine-pressure mga sarili namin. Nandiyan na yung pressure pero it’s up to us kung paano namin hina-handle yung pressure. Kailangan lang namin maglaro and the rest will follow.”
Alyssa Solomon, though, is not joining this year’s draft as she is still exploring her overseas options.
