Bella Belen 2.0 has officially arrived in the Premier Volleyball League.
The top overall pick of the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft is ready to unveil a new and improved version of herself — tougher, fiercer, and more battle-ready — as she gears up for her professional debut.
“Siguro ano pa rin naman, same Bella pero 2.0,” Belen told reporters with a smile during the PVL Reinforced Conference press conference on Thursday at Discovery Suites in Pasig City.
“Siguro mas palaban kasi siyempre ‘yung mga makakalaban ko mas may experience na sa’kin. Kumbaga, talagang veterans na sila so marami akong matututunan sa kanila and kailangan ko lang mag-perform talaga kung ano ‘yung alam kong kaya kong gawin,” she added.
Belen is fully aware of the spotlight that will follow her once she finally steps on the PVL court.
And while she knows plenty of eyes will be watching her every move, the three-time UAAP MVP shared that the expectations others have of her pale in comparison to the standard she sets for herself.
In fact, Belen is raising the bar even higher, determined to surpass everything she accomplished in the UAAP as she begins a new chapter in the professional ranks with Capital1.
“Siguro ang expectations ko sa sarili ko, kailangan mas higitan ko pa ‘yung pinakita ko sa UAAP kahit pa na alam ko na magkaibang level ng league talaga ‘yung collegiate league sa PVL. Pero siyempre malaki talaga ‘yung expectations ko na kaya kong mas higitan pa,” Belen said.
Of course, with that comes pressure — not only to live up to her billing as the top rookie, but also to help lift a young Solar Spikers squad hungry to make its mark in the league.
For the 23-year-old outside hitter, however, that challenge is something she fully embraces. She views it not as a burden, but as an opportunity to grow and prove she belongs among the country’s best.
“Ako naman kasi, I love being challenged talaga kasi kahit saang liga, kahit sinong kalaban pa ‘yan. Parang for me, kailangan ko lang mag-prepare talaga kung paano ako magpe-perform this conference lalo na’t first time ko maglalaro sa PVL so siguro ‘yun nga, may pressure din sa part ko siyempre as a rookie,” Belen said.
“Pero parang tine-take ko ‘yung pressure din as parang privilege kasi ayun, nakaka-feel ako ng pressure and kailangan ko lang mag-perform kung anong kaya kong gawin for the team.”
That mindset also fuels Belen’s excitement for what lies ahead, as she looks forward to growing alongside her teammates and unlocking the full potential of a Capital1 team eager to showcase its promise in the PVL.
“Excited talaga ako kung paano magpe-perform ‘yung team namin ngayong conference kasi I think kapag tinignan naman like tao-tao, kaya naman sumabay sa bawat teams na makakalaban. Kailangan namin lang mag-three times na work hard para makamit namin ‘yung goal namin,” Belen shared.
“Siguro sa team, since young team kami parang ako, I feel like kaya talaga naming lumaban, kaya naming makapasok sa finals or what. Basta parang game by game lang talaga so malaki, malaki talaga expectations ko for myself and for my team.”
