ACHING to bring her winning mentality with the Capital1 Solar Spikers, volleyball star Bella Belen expressed excitement to lead the squad just like she did with National University in the UAAP.
Belen, a three-time UAAP MVP and three-time champion, was recently hailed as UAAP Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year in the San Miguel Corporation-Collegiate Press Corps Awards Night last Monday at the Discovery Suites Manila in Pasig.
The prolific spiker’s brilliance in the 87th UAAP season powered the Lady Bulldogs to a second straight crown.
Joining the pro ranks, the 23-year-old was selected as the top overall pick in the PVL Draft by Capital1 which is now led by Alas Pilipinas coach Jorge Souza de Brito.
She, however, is yet to play for the Solar Spikers in ongoing PVL On Tour pre-season tournament due to her commitment with the national team.
“Hindi naman mawawala iyong pressure pero siguro hihigitan ko iyong mga ipinakita ko sa UAAP. I will do my best,” Belen said. “Siguro maipapangako ko lang sa Capital 1, talagang ipaglalaban ko sila gaya ng ginawa ko for NU kasi ganoon naman ako, once na mag-commit ako, kaya ko ipaglaban, parang relasyon lang iyan,” Belen said. “Ipapaglaban ko talaga iyong team ko hangga’t kaya ko. It takes time to build a strong team so uunti-untiin lang namin gaya ng ginawa namin sa NU kasi hindi naman kami naging strong in a span of one year.
“Talagang matagal kami. Ngayon kahit kaonting years lang susubukan namin, since pare-parehas lang kami gusto manalo,” she added.
The talismanic outside spiker has no timetable for her official debut with the Solar Spikers as Alas still has international tournaments lined-up this year.
This includes the coming two legs of the SEA V.League, the first leg set in August, and the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in December.
