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After charting their own paths in the UAAP, longtime friends Bella Belen and Detdet Pepito have been reunited in the Premier Volleyball League.
Long before making their names in Philippine volleyball, Bella Belen and Detdet Pepito were once young dreamers — childhood friends pursuing their love for volleyball at the Lucas R. Pascual Memorial Elementary School in Baesa, Quezon City.
Belen went on to have a legendary career with National University, headlined by eight UAAP championships across high school and college. A few blocks away from Jhocson, Pepito wasn’t far off either, emerging as the UST Golden Tigresses’ heart, while leaving a legacy defined by grit and leadership.
Now two established, they find themselves in the same team once again — this time in the professional ranks after the Capital1 Solar Spikers selected Pepito second-overall in the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft.
“Sabi ko, since nagka-draft, mayroong chance na maging mag-teammate uli kami, pero hindi ganon kalaki,” Belen told reporters on draft night. “So ngayon, sobrang happy ako na teammates uli kami ni Detdet.”
“So excited na ako, kung paano na kami ngayon na hindi ka kami jejemon. Mas matured na and mas marami na kaming lessons from past years.”
It was a reunion to cherish for Pepito, who turned sentimental as she made her way to the stage.
“Habang papunta nga po ako sa red carpet, tinignan ko nga siya and parang throwback lang na teammates kami simula elementary. Tas ngayong nandito ako sa PVL, siya ‘yung ka-teammate ko tsaka si Pia Abbu, kaya sobrang happy lang and excited na mas may matututunan ako,” said Pepito, while also pointing out her former UST teammate Abbu.
With Capital1, Pepito is now expected to anchor the Solar Spikers’ floor defense alongside Belen and joins young core that also includes former MVPs Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos.
More than skills and familiarity, Belen pointed out Pepito’s innate competitiveness — a mutual trait that’s defined their dynamic since high school.
“Hindi porke’t teammates kami, hindi na kami magiging competitive. Mas magiging competitive pa kami sa isa’t isa,” Belen said. “’Yun naman din ‘yung pagkakakilala ko kay Detdet since elementary.”
“Nasaksihan ko sa UAAP career niya na sobrang competitive niya and hindi rin siya nakukuntento sa kung anong kaya niya. Kaya alam ko na marami pang pwede ma-improve si Detdet sa PVL lalo magka-teammate kami, so excited na ako.”
For Pepito, joining Capital1 isn’t just about reuniting with Belen — it’s also the realization of her lifelong dream to play professional volleyball.
“Super happy lang and parang grateful since last playing year ko sa UST, isa ito sa pinaghandaan ko, and dinedicate ko talaga ‘yung performance ko for this,” she said.
“Mixed emotions, pero sobrang grateful and thankful lang kay Lord na pinapangarap ko lang makapasok sa PVL and now number two pick. So pressure, pero thankful pa rin talaga kay Lord and I will try my best to help Capital1.”
Images by Ed Simon/KLIQ Inc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bella Belen is a National University volleyball standout and eight-time UAAP champion. Detdet Pepito is a former UST Golden Tigresses leader known for her grit and defensive intensity.
Detdet Pepito was selected second overall by the Capital1 Solar Spikers in the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft, reuniting her with teammate Bella Belen.
Belen and Pepito have been friends since elementary school, where they trained together at Lucas R. Pascual Memorial Elementary School in Baesa, Quezon City.
Pepito is expected to anchor Capital1’s floor defense alongside Belen, joining a core that also includes former MVPs Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos.
Pepito called it the realization of a lifelong dream, saying she dedicated her final UST season to earning a spot in the PVL — and was thankful to be picked second overall.