A much-awaited team-up finally happened for Alas Pilipinas on Friday evening.
The UAAP’s first and second-ever rookie MVPs, Bella Belen and Angel Canino, teamed up for the Philippines in the 2024 FIVB Challenger Cup – a knockout tournament where the champion gains a spot in the 2025 Volleyball Nations League.
Although their first tournament together since making waves in the collegiate scene was cut short as the Nationals were beaten by Vietnam in straight sets, the long-awaited duo was happy to finally share the same side of the court.
For Belen, who made her debut for Alas Pilipinas after sitting out the AVC Challenge Cup last May for recovery reasons, more time together will help lift each other’s games in their next tournaments.
“Very happy kasi nakasama ko si Angel sa national team. Siyempre, kalaban ko siya ng UAAP, ngayon magka-teammate na kami,” said Belen, a two-time UAAP MVP.
“I think magiging maganda yung connection namin pag nag-training pa nang matagal. I think kaya namin i-bring out yung best sa aming dalawa,” added the National University skipper.
On the other hand, Canino shared that it was a relief to be on the same side as Belen and not on the receiving end of her heavy and smart spikes as they were in the UAAP.
The De La Salle University main gunner scored 12 points on 11 attacks and one service ace against Vietnam, continuing to excel in the opposite position.
“Actually, natutuwa kasi sabi ko nga sa kanila na na mas pipiliin ko pang maging teammate si Bella kaysa kalaban so sa tagal ko din pong gustong maka-teammate ulit si ate Bella, I’m very happy na naging teammate ko siya right now,” shared Canino.
The two first teamed up back in the 2019 ASEAN School Games, where they ended up with the silver medal.
Belen, who finished with two points, looks forward to their next challenges as she aims to improve her game, admitting that her lack of training time with the team took its toll.
“I think ginawa naman po namin yung best namin and siguro kasi yung Vietnam, matagal na silang nagte-training. Kami kasi, lalo na ako, galing pa akong vacation, I think kaya namang lumaban, kailangan lang ng mas mahabang preparation,” shared Belen.
“Before pa naman kami umalis for Korea, nagte-training naman na ako, siguro naka-two weeks. Okay naman, sadyang kinulang, kinapos. Talagang kaya naman ng team namin, kailangan lang talaga namin paghandaan yung mga bawat laro namin.”
Up next for Alas will be the Southeast Asian V.League split into two legs, both in August. Before that, the team will fly to Japan for a two-week training camp from July 14 to 25.
