Bella Belen will not have to wait long to reunite with one of her oldest friends in volleyball.
Capital1 selected former University of Santo Tomas libero Detdet Pepito with the second overall pick in the 2026 PVL Draft, giving the Solar Spikers another key addition while bringing together two players whose journey began long before their collegiate stardom.
For Belen, Pepito’s arrival adds another familiar face to a Capital1 squad that has aggressively strengthened its roster during the offseason.
“Siguro meant to be rin para sa amin ’yung mga hinihiling ko,” said Belen.
“And thank you, Lord, thank you, Lord. Ayun, siguro meant to be lang talaga sila para sa Capital1.”
Capital1 Reloads for Next Season
The Solar Spikers have emerged as one of the busiest teams in the league, adding former Cignal Super Spikers stars and reigning PVL MVPs Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos before drafting Pepito and University of the East standout Khy Cepada.
The roster upgrades have generated excitement around Capital1, but Belen emphasized that success will still depend on the team’s willingness to work together and develop chemistry.
“Since marami na kaming recruit this year, hopefully mas maganda ’yung team composition namin now. And siyempre hindi naman porket naka-recruit kami ng talented na players ay magiging madali na. Training pa rin and chemistry pa rin,” she said.
“Volleyball is a team effort talaga. Excited lang ako sa magiging journey ng Capital1.”
Bella Belen and Detdet Pepito Go a Long Ways Back
While Belen and Pepito became household names representing rival schools in the UAAP, their friendship stretches much further back.
The two first played together during their elementary school days and remained close even as their careers took different paths. Belen went on to become one of National University’s most decorated athletes, while Pepito established herself as one of the premier liberos in collegiate volleyball with UST.
Now, after years of facing each other across the net, they will once again be teammates—this time in the professional ranks.
“Siyempre, noong mga panahon namin na ’yun, noong jejemon pa kami, hindi namin in-expect na aabot kami sa ganitong lagay kung nasaan kami ngayon,” Belen said.
“And sabi ko, nagka-draft na eh, so may chance talaga na magka-teammate kami ulit, pero hindi ganun kalaki.”
“So ngayon, sobrang happy ako na teammates ulit kami ni Detdet. Excited na ako kung paano na kami ngayon na hindi na kami jejemon, mas matured na, and mas marami na kaming lessons from past years namin as players.”
For Capital1, Pepito’s arrival strengthens an already promising roster. For Belen, it also marks the continuation of a friendship that has come full circle—from childhood teammates to collegiate rivals and now professional teammates chasing the same goal.
