Bella Belen, Detdet Pepito live childhood dreams as Capital1 teammates

MANILA, Philippines – Bella Belen and Detdet Pepito were once two lanky grade school players chasing volleyballs across a court in Quezon City.

Back then, both were still spikers, carrying little more than youthful dreams of one day reaching the highest level of local volleyball.

That dream has now come full circle.

Capital1 made Pepito the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 PVL Draft, a move that reunites her with Belen, who has emerged as the face of the Solar Spikers franchise.

“While I was walking on the red carpet, I was looking at her,” Pepito said in Filipino, referring to Belen, who was onstage holding a scarf embedded with the Capital1 logo to give to their incoming rookie. “I was just reminiscing about when we were teammates in elementary school.”

“It was once just a dream to play in the PVL, and now I’m the No. 2 pick. I’m pressured, but I’m thankful. I will try my best to help Capital1.”

Pepito and Belen first crossed paths at Lucas R. Pascual Memorial Elementary School in Baesa, Quezon City, where they played together and forged a friendship that endured throughout their volleyball careers.

They then went on their seperate paths in high school.

Belen transferred to NU Nazareth School, while Pepito joined the UST Junior Golden Tigresses. Then, both of them went on to build decorated high school and collegiate careers.

Belen became one of the most accomplished volleyball players of her generation, winning five UAAP high school championships before capturing three more collegiate titles with the Lady Bulldogs. 

She also collected three UAAP Most Valuable Player awards and the Rookie of the Year honors in the last PVL season.

Pepito, meanwhile, established herself as one of UST’s most reliable leaders, serving as the backbone of the Golden Tigresses’ floor defense for more than a decade across the high school and collegiate ranks.

Now, Capital1 hopes that pedigree can help elevate the franchise to greater heights.

The Solar Spikers strengthened their roster with the additions of Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos, giving the club one of the most intriguing offseason hauls in the league.

Belen emphasized that reuniting with Pepito means bringing together two competitors who have spent years fortifying their games.

“Now that we’re teammates again, we won’t be competing against each other anymore. Instead, we’ll be even more competitive together,” Belen said in Filipino.

“That’s how I’ve always known Detdet since elementary school. I saw how competitive she was in the UAAP and how she never settles.

“I know there’s still a lot she can improve on in the PVL, especially now that we’re teammates. So I’m excited.”

Capital1 finished ninth in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference and got eliminated by Galeries Tower in the play-in quarterfinals.

Pepito acknowledged that transforming the Solar Spikers into a championship contender will take time, but she believes the pieces are gradually falling into place.

“I think we just have to slowly build our chemistry and learn the system,” she said. “We’ll keep dreaming. Hopefully, we can win a championship.”

For Belen, the reunion is a chance for two childhood friends to write a new chapter together, this time as professional volleyball players.

“I’m excited,” Belen said. “We’re not jejemon anymore. We’re more mature now, and we’ve learned a lot from the past years.” – Rappler.com