With Capital1 strengthened by veteran recruits, top overall pick Bella Belen is eager to learn from her new teammates as she embraces the challenges ahead of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
The Solar Spikers retooled their lineup with experienced players, reinforcing Belen and the rest of the squad in a bid to go further after a quarterfinals exit in the previous conference.
“Sa team din namin halos half ng players bago talaga, so I’m very happy din kasi yung mga napunta sa aming players alam kong makakatulong talaga for our team,” Belen said on Wednesday during the all-local tilt’s press conference held at the Discovery Suites.
“I’m very excited kung ano yung pwede kong matutunan from them and kung ano yung pwede naming madala sa conference.”
Belen downplayed any concerns about adjustment issues, noting that the team’s new additions blended in seamlessly and that the transition has felt natural rather than disruptive.
Headlining the team’s newest recruits are Pauline Gaston and Cherry Nunag.
Also joining the Jorge De Brito-coached squad are Shaya Adorador, Jasmine Nabor, Ezra Madrigal, France Ronquillo, Ysa Jimenez, and Rachel Jorvina.
(C) PVL Images
“Parang hindi naman since yun nga hindi naman nahirapan mag-adjust yung mga pumasok po sa amin. Hindi naman siya new environment talaga, I’m very excited lang talaga,” said the three-time UAAP MVP.
Another highlight Belen is looking forward to is the chance to face her Alas Pilipinas teammates Jia De Guzman of Creamline and Eya Laure of Choco Mucho, both returning to the league after long absences.
“Niloloko ko nga sila before nung nasa national team pa kami na kapag kami yung magkalaban, huwag silang maglalaro,” said the 23-year-old outside hitter.
“Ayun kasi nakasama ko na rin sila na matagal as teammates. I’m very excited din kung paano ako magpe-perform kung sila yung kalaban ko kasi kilala ko sila. Pero syempre, magkakaibang sistema bawat team and I’m very excited sa matchup namin.”
Belen is entering her second conference with the Solar Spikers after a stellar debut in the Reinforced Conference. She finished as the 12th-best scorer with 124 points on 112 attacks, 10 kill blocks, and 2 aces.
She also showcased her two-way prowess, ranking seventh in digs with 3.30 per set.
As the rest of the league continues to level up, Belen plans on doing the same as she looks to help Capital1 make its much-awaited breakthrough.
“Siguro malaki rin siyang challenge for us since ‘yun nga, kahit nagkalaban na before, ibang klase pa rin this conference kasi lahat ng teams talagang nag-level up,” she said.
“Syempre sana kami din tina-try namin ‘yung best namin every training to level up yung game namin para maganda yung mapakita namin this conference.”
#WATCH: VERY HAPPY, VERY EXCITED 🏐
Bella Belen hopes that with Capital1’s new additions, they can perform better in #PVL2026#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/CAF5mRlqD1
📹 @justinvalencia_ /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/jPLjF3FUob
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) January 28, 2026
