VICTORIAS, Negros Occidental — Fresh from their first-ever silver finish in the SEA V Cup, Bella Belen believes Alas Pilipinas Women have what it takes to make their mark in the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games this September.
Belen — who was present during Capital1’s final game in the 2026 PVL On Tour Showdown on Saturday at the Victorias City Coliseum here — said the Philippine women’s national volleyball team can compete against China and Kazakhstan in Pool B, especially with more preparation time.
“Yun nga, first time ko if ever and then siguro yung team naman, I feel like ready naman kami. Kasi after nung SEA V Cup namin, nagkaroon din kami ng assessment as a team and syempre as an individual,” said Belen, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 PVL Draft.
“Tiningnan namin kung ano yung mga puwede naming i-improve as a team and kung ano yung mga kulang namin na puwede naming gawin for Asian Games. Kasi since kilala na naman natin kung sino yung unang magiging kalaban, yung dalawa, so ayun. I feel like kaya ng team makipagsabayan sa Asian Games,” she continued.
Alas Pilipinas, led by Belen, Alyssa Solomon, and Eya Laure, bounced back from a winless first leg to claim an unprecedented silver medal in the second leg in Chiang Mai, Thailand, after securing victories over Vietnam and Indonesia.
Solomon was named Best Opposite Spiker in both legs, while Laure was recognized as one of the second leg’s Best Outside Spikers.
For Belen, the achievement — despite the team’s limited preparation time under new head coach Taka Minowa — has given Alas Pilipinas plenty of confidence heading into the Asian Games, which begin on September 16.
“Kumbaga hindi naman po naging madali ‘yung SEA V Cup for us kasi yung training namin, yung preparation namin maikli lang. So talagang binigay namin yung best namin na kaya pala namin na maikli lang yung preparation namin. I’m very happy na nakita namin na lumaban talaga yung team para makuha yung silver medal,” shared the 24-year-old do-it-all spiker.
Also part of the silver-winning squad were Belen’s Capital1 teammates Erika Santos and Vanie Gandler, captain Jia de Guzman, Mars Alba, Vange Alinsug, Celine Marsh, Niña Ytang, Dell Palomata, Jen Nierva, Dawn Catindig, Justine Jazareno, Thea Gagate, and Fifi Sharma.
