MANILA — Bella Belen beamed with pride as she saw former National University (NU) teammate Lams Lamina picked first overall in the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft.
Belen, also last year's top pick, is excited to see what the two-time UAAP seniors Best Setter can show in the professional league.
READ: PVL: Lamina goes number one overall in Rookie Draft
"Excited din ako makalaban si Lams kasi siyempre, all this time siya 'yung kasama ko sa loob ng court and ngayon na nasa PVL na siya. Excited ako makita kung ano pa 'yung pwede niyang ma-improve pa as an athlete, and ano 'yung pwede niyang madala sa PVL," said Belen.
"Excited na rin ako kung paano ako magpe-perform 'pag siya 'yung kalaban ko."
"Lams, stare down ka sa 'kin, charot!" Belen added in jest. "Masaya lang ako for Lams kasi deserve niya talaga maging first pick."
READ: WHO WENT WHERE: The 2026 PVL Rookie Draft
This also marked another National University Nazareth School product go first in the proceedings, as Thea Gagate, who also played as a Lady Bullpup, was also the top selection in the inaugural edition in 2024.
"Siguro hindi ko ma-explain, pero siguro masaya lang na isa sa mga volleyball program na umaangat is 'yung NU. And sana magtuloy-tuloy, kumbaga hindi lang hihinto 'yung programa ni NU, and sana marami pang ma-produce na magaling na players 'yung NU," she said.
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Belen was also thrilled to reunite with elementary teammate Detdet Pepito in the PVL.
"Siyempre masaya, kasi alam ko naman kung ano 'yung kakayanan ni Detdet. And alam kong marami siyang matutulong sa team namin, kasi 'yung huli ko pa siya naging teammate is elementary — ay hindi national team kami nung parang post pandemic era. Masaya lang ako na nabigyan kami ulit ng pagkakataon na maging teammates ulit."