MANILA, Philippines — Bella Belen is expected to join the Draft Combine on Saturday after missing the first day, according to the PVL commissioner Sherwin Malonzo.

Belen, the three-time UAAP MVP who is also a member of the Alas Pilipinas pool, is coming from Laoag, Ilocos Norte where she supported Nazareth School’s Palarong Pambansa 2025 campaign.

READ: Bella Belen skips Day 1 of PVL Rookie Draft Combine

Belen’s manager informed Malonzo that the National University standout had planned to drop by at Paco Arena on Friday, but she would not have made it in time.

“Si Bella naman, kausap ko ‘yung I think manager niya. She’s arriving daw tomorrow. We’re expecting her to drop by tomorrow,” Malonzo told the reporters.

“Actually, balak ata humabol ngayon pero sabi ko baka matapos na by 4 [p.m.]. Mas maganda sana kung kaninang umaga or ‘yun nga tomorrow na.”

Bella Belen (right) during  Alas Pilipinas’ training camp. –ALAS VOLLEY FACEBOOK

Fifty-one of the 60 hopefuls attended the opening day of the Draft Combine. They went through drills, anthropometric measurements, medical tests, media training, and Games and Amusement Board Rookie Contract seminar.

The PVL commissioner later clarified that missing the two-day combine wouldn’t disqualify an aspirant, but it would take away a player’s chance to be scouted by the PVL coaches.

“Ang magiging effect lang nun is hindi sila makikita ng teams natin, so ang medyo crucial dun, kung hindi kilala ‘yung player, sila ang mawawalan, pero hindi natin sila tatanggalin,” said Malonzo.

But they need to re-affirm their commitment to the Draft Night on June 8 at Novotel.

“After tomorrow, we’ll be sending them emails, getting in touch with them, and asking them if tutuloy ba sila or hindi? If they reply ‘Yes’, okay lang, tuloy lang sila. But if they don’t reply or if they reply ‘No’, then that’s the only time we’ll cut them from the list,” he said.

Malonzo said he is happy with the “talented and athletic” draft pool this year.