Bella Belen once again proved why she’s one of the league’s brightest stars, firing 26 points on Saturday to extend her streak of 20-point games to five in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
But despite Belen’s heroics, Capital1 struggled to keep pace with a seasoned Creamline squad.
The scoring gap within the team was stark. Ypril Tapia contributed just four points, while reserves Leila Cruz and Sydney Niegos added three apiece. Starters Ysa Jimenez and Shaya Adorador also had limited production, with Jimenez scoring two points and Adorador held scoreless in Capital1’s straight-set loss to the Cool Smashers.
Belen said the team addressed the issue in the dugout after the game, particularly reflecting on the second set, which Capital1 had within reach before faltering down the stretch against their more experienced opponents.
(C) PVL Images
“Na-address siya kanina sa dugout,” Belen said. “I mean, siguro concerning na siya since volleyball is a team effort. Hindi naman po siya isa lang. Kasi hindi talaga mananalo kapag ganun po kalayo yung agwat sa scoring.”
Still, Belen found some positives, noting the glimpses of potential her squad showed, especially in the second set where Capital1 led 23-17 before Creamline’s championship experience took over. The Solar Spikers briefly held the lead early in the third set as well, before the Cool Smashers pulled away to complete the sweep.
“May mga glimpse na lumaban kami against Creamline. Kasi hindi po sila madaling kalaban. Siyempre, nagkaroon na sila ng maraming experiences; established na rin yung connection nila sa isa’t isa,” said the National University legend.
“So I’m very happy din naman na kahit papaano, merong glimpse na lumaban yung team. Pero hindi kasi siya sapat. I mean, katulad ng second set. Last two points na lang tapos nahabol pa kami ng Creamline,” she added.
Belen also emphasized the need for accountability and teamwork to close the gap with elite squads.
“So kilala naman namin yung Creamline. I mean, kilala natin lahat ang Creamline na kaya nilang habulin kahit gano’n kalayo yung score. So siguro sa part namin, kailangan meron kaming, yun nga sabi ng coaches, accountability sa mga ginagawa namin. Kasi ayun, sayang. Maraming panghihinayang this game na sana mas inayos pa namin yung galaw namin.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The loss highlighted the difference between Capital1 and a championship-caliber team like Creamline, showing how much work the Solar Spikers still need to do to compete at the highest level.
Even so, Belen remained optimistic, confident that Capital1 can grow into a competitive force in the PVL.
“I feel like malayo pa talaga. Since Creamline, matagal silang magkakasama, kilala na rin nila ang isa’t isa. Kami, papunta pa lang kami doon,” she said.
“Pero nakikita ko na puwede naming maabot o puwede kaming makadikit sa gano’ng klaseng paglalaro. Kailangan lang namin siguro mag-work as a team, magsumikap as a player. At siyempre nag-uumpisa ’yon sa training pa lang,” Belen added.
“Kung ano yung ginagawa mo sa training, yun yung magagawa mo sa game. Siguro kailangan naming bumalik sa drawing board. Tingnan namin kung ano pa yung mga kulang namin as a team and as individuals.”
#WATCH: HINDI PO SILA MADALING KALABAN 🏐
Bella Belen remains proud of Capital1’s stand against veteran-laden Creamline#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/b0KCKEf0QI
📹 @jonashdcd /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/A8fI0FNVPA
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) February 21, 2026
