Bella Belen believes that Capital1’s stunning straight-set win over Cignal on Friday is a sign of better things to come for the Solar Spikers in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference.
Capital1 showed immense grit in its 25-23, 25-23, 25-21 triumph over Cignal, mounting huge comebacks in the first and second sets before sealing the hard-fought sweep in the third at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
“Opo, for me talaga this is a good sign na paunti-unti na nagje-jell din ‘yung team and ‘yung sistema, talagang nakukuha na,” said Belen, who played a key role in the Solar Spikers’ second win of the tournament with 11 points and 14 excellent digs.
She added that the victory gave them a much-needed confidence boost as they continue to grow and develop as a team.
“Ayon nga, medyo meron pa namang next game, so I’m very excited kung ano pa ‘yung pwede naming ma-improve and madala next game,” added the top overall pick in the recent PVL Rookie Draft.
The Solar Spikers trailed for most of the opening set, but none of their deficits was more daunting than the seven-point, 10-17 hole they faced in the second frame — a comeback that perfectly showcased their composure and growing chemistry.
(C) PVL Images
Behind the combined efforts of Belen, Ekaterina Bytsenko, Pia Abbu, and Rachel Austero, Capital1 rallied with a 13-5 surge to turn the tables and take a 23-22 lead.
Bytsenko then pushed the Solar Spikers to set point before Cignal’s Katrin Trebichavska saved one. But she committed an attack error on the next play that handed Capital1 a commanding 2-0 set advantage.
Riding the momentum of that fiery comeback, the Solar Spikers carried their composure into the third set. They refused to let Cignal gain any foothold en route to securing their biggest win yet in the import-laced conference.
Belen shared that their ability to stay composed in pressure situations was no accident, noting that they constantly simulate such moments in training — from chasing large deficits to closing out tight sets — to build trust and confidence in one another when it matters most.
“Ginagawa po kasi ‘yun sa training, na parang dikit ‘yung games, ta’s ganiyan maghahabol kami. And kanina naman, parang sabi namin hangga’t hindi pa nagtu-25 ‘yung Cignal, may chance pa kami maipanalo ‘yung set,” said the three-time UAAP MVP from National University.
“And ‘yon, kinapitan lang po namin, ginawa lang namin ‘yung responsibility namin as players, and ‘yon, nahabol namin, and thankfully, napanalo pa namin ‘yung set na ‘yon.”
For Belen, the victory felt even more meaningful because it proved that their hard work in practice is starting to pay off — a clear sign of brighter days ahead for Capital1.
