FOR her loyalty, sacrifices and accolades during a stellar collegiate career, National University has immortalized the jersey No. 4 of volleyball star and UAAP MVP Bella Belen.
The Lady Bulldogs announced this development yesterday during the school’s Pep Rally at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay.
Belen is the first volleyball player from NU to have a jersey retirement ceremony.
The 23-year-old spiker spent 11 years as a Lady Bulldog, leading the team to three titles in Seasons 84, 86 and 87.
In addition to her colorful career, she also earned three MVP plums while donning the blue and gold.
“Nandito ako sa mall at that time, parang last week yata or two weeks ago. Tumawag sa akin iyong sa Athletics Office, si Sir Otie (Camangian), tinawagan ako. Then iyon nga, sabi nila they’re planning to retire my jersey. Tapos ako naman, nasa mall ako para akong baliw, naiiyak ako,” Belen said. “Tapos after ng ilang weeks, akala ko hindi na sure, I mean, hindi na itutuloy since malapit na mag-pep rally tapos wala pang update.
“Habang nagtra-training kami sa national team, tumawag ulit tapos magpapadala ng jersey tapos isa-sign ko and itutuloy na iyong pag-retire ng jersey. So, ano lang, very overwhelming, iyong feeling ko talaga kasi hindi ko talaga siya in-expect kasi never naman nag-retire ng number ang NU,” she added.
In another development, the Lady Bulldogs parted ways with coach Sherwin Meneses last Wednesday and tapped Regine Diego as their new strategist.
This will be the fourth coaching change for the Sampaloc-based belles in four years. Prior to her promotion, Diego served as the assistant team manager of NU.
Meneses’ wife Nerissa clarified on a Facebook post last Wednesday night that her husband’s one-year contract has already expired.
“Just to set the record straight, he (Sherwin) only signed a one-year contract with NU, which has now concluded. There is no issue or conflict with the management,” she said. “He holds the institution and its leadership in the highest regard.”
