Bella Belen’s name will forever echo in National University’s storied halls of glory.
Eight championships, five MVPs, and countless historic firsts later, the Lady Bulldogs’ brightest star has now reached immortality — her iconic No. 4 jersey retired, never to be worn again.
On Thursday afternoon, in front of her fellow Nationalians at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall during NU’s Pep Rally for UAAP Season 88, Belen saw a lifelong dream come true as her alma mater honored her unparalleled legacy.
Nearly four months after steering the Lady Bulldogs to their second straight UAAP women’s volleyball crown, the 2025 PVL No. 1 draft pick etched another milestone in history, becoming the first NU student-athlete ever — and only the third in UAAP volleyball history — to receive a jersey retirement.
She now joins the rarefied company of FEU’s No. 3 Rachel Daquis and La Salle’s Manilla Santos-Navarro, whose No. 14 also hangs in honor.
From the moment she entered Jhocson as a wide-eyed 15-year-old from Quezon City, Belen wasted no time in rewriting the program’s history books.
With the Lady Bullpups, she powered NU-Nazareth School to six straight finals appearances from Season 77 to 82, bagging five titles and two MVP plums along the way.
Her legend only grew in college.
In UAAP Season 84, Belen produced one of the most iconic debut campaigns in league history — a Rookie-MVP performance that ended NU’s 65-year title drought in women’s volleyball.
Though her infectious humor off the court and emotional fire on it often made the grind seem light, Belen endured her share of doubts and challenges.
Yet, time and again, she answered them with championships and greatness.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
After a stumble in Season 85, she bounced back to reclaim the crown in Season 86 against rival UST, before capping her collegiate career with back-to-back titles in Season 87.
By the end of her run, Belen stood as a three-time UAAP MVP — joining Ateneo icon Alyssa Valdez and FEU great Ailyn Ege in an exclusive club.
Her brilliance wasn’t confined to the UAAP. With Alas Pilipinas Women, she starred in the team’s historic silver-medal finish at the 2025 AVC Nations Cup. She also added a Palarong Pambansa crown with NCR in 2019 and three Shakey’s Super League championships with NU from 2022 to 2024.
From a 15-year-old hopeful to the face of NU excellence, Bella Belen leaves behind more than championships and trophies.
Her No. 4, now hanging in the rafters, stands as the eternal gold standard of what it means to be a Lady Bulldog — and a place among the greatest legends the UAAP has ever seen.
