Capital1’s top overall pick Bella Belen is carrying the lessons — and the fire — of her first Premier Volleyball League campaign into her upcoming stint with Alas Pilipinas at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games this December.
Thrown into the deep end against the country’s top talents and seasoned, taller imports, Belen’s PVL debut became a baptism by fire — testing her skills, composure, and ability to adapt under pressure. It’s an experience she says will pay off on the international stage.
“For me, malaking bagay talaga siya. I mean, ibang sistema. Pero, malaking tulong siya for me na pagdating sa SEA Games na dapat alam ko na kung ano yung gagalawin ko, tatrababuhin ko ganiyan,” the former National University star said after Capital1’s quarterfinal exit at the hands of ZUS Coffee on Monday night.
“‘Yun, I’m very thankful kasi ito yung naging first conference ko. Siyempre, may mga imports. So, mas mataas talaga yung level ng paglalaro. So, dami ko natutunan from them. Hindi lang from Ate Sasha. Siyempre, for ano rin, sa ibang teams, imports din nila,” she added.
Belen’s debut season with the Solar Spikers was memorable: she partnered with Ukrainian import Oleksandra Bytsenko to lead the young squad to only its second-ever quarterfinal appearance in franchise history.
Yet the three-time UAAP MVP admits the adjustment to the PVL’s intensity was a steep climb, but it was a challenge she embraced fully.
(C) PVL Images
“Siguro very challenging siya talaga. Iba na yung laruan dito sa PVL, unlike sa UAAP. So, mataas yung level of competition here and kailangan din minsan alam mo kung paano mo i-handle siguro yung emotions, ganyan, yung excitement every game,” Belen explained.
“Kasi, parang every team adjusting really well talaga eh. Mabilis mag-adjust lahat ng team. So, dapat ganoon din kami as Capital1 team. Kailangan alam namin kung kailan kami gagana,” she added.
Though Capital1 fell short of advancing, Belen understands that building a competitive team takes time. Just as she did with NU, she is committed to putting in the work and helping Capital1 rise in the coming seasons.
“Before naman po ako pumasok ng PVL, I mean, naisip ko talaga na kahit saan akong team mapunta sa pro, hindi siya magiging madali,” Belen said.
“Like, hindi lagi panalo, hindi lagi nasa taas. Kumbaga sa Capital1. Like, sa NU naman eh, hindi naman kami naging strong team isang gabi lang. Talagang pinagtrabahuhan namin sila ng ilang months,” she continued.
“So, ganoon din with Capital, kailangan lang siguro magtiyaga pa. Since, yun nga, young team. [Pero] hindi naman namin pwedeng sabihin na, hindi namin siya pwedeng gawing excuse na young team kami kaya kami natatalo.”
Now, with the SEA Games approaching, Belen’s focus is on representing the Philippines and bringing the lessons learned from her PVL rookie season to the international stage.
“As of now, siyempre, yung mindset ko pa rin is kailangan mag-show up pa rin. Kasi sa SEA Games, kung sino man po yung line-up. I mean, very deserving talaga lahat. So, hindi naman lagi na maglalaro ako or what,” she said.
“Pero, every time na makasok siguro ko, I will make sure na siyempre, I will do my best for the national team, for the Philippine flag.”
#WATCH: Bella Belen vows to bring her #PVL2025 experience to Alas Women come the #SEAGames2025 🏐#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/vHBaKmL5hX
📹 @jonashdcd /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/cDyRxsqgAe
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) November 24, 2025
