As her UAAP journey nears its end, Mhicaela “Bella” Belen will walk away as one of the most decorated student-athletes the league has ever seen — now a five-time MVP across both the girls’ and women’s volleyball divisions.
The graduating National University ace clinched her third Most Valuable Player award in the Women’s Division for UAAP Season 87.
She joins an elite group as only the third woman in league history to win the prestigious honor three times. She now stands alongside Alyssa Valdez of Ateneo and Ailyn Ege of FEU in the record books.
Belen, who also won MVP honors in the girls’ division during Seasons 80 and 82, received the award prior to Game 2 of the Finals between NU and De La Salle University on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The 22-year-old senior compiled a league-leading 96.226 statistical points (SP), dominating all skill departments throughout the season. She ranked fourth in scoring with 246 points, topped the league in spiking with a 37.76% success rate, and led the service category with 30 aces (0.57 per set). On defense, she placed fifth in digs (2.79 per set) and third in receptions (44.44%).
Overwhelmed with emotion during the awarding ceremony, Belen expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helped shape her journey.
“Unang-una, gusto ko pong magpasalamat kay Lord kasi hindi ko po makakamit kung wala po Siya. Thank you din po sa family ko. Thank you sa walang sawang pag-support sa ‘kin,” she said.
“Sa teammates ko, hindi ko ito makukuha kung wala kayo and mahal na mahal ko kayo. Sa coaches and sa manager (Engr. Mariano ‘Bing’ See Diet) po namin, maraming salamat sa walang sawang pagsuporta at pag-guide sa team,” Belen continued, trying to fight off tears.
“Sa NU community! Maraming salamat po kasi nagbibigay kayo ng oras para panoorin kami. Pinapangako ko na hindi kami papayag na maagaw ang korona sa Jhocson.”
This season also marked the return of the Best Server award — reintroduced after six seasons, now sponsored by Cetaphil — with Belen also taking home that recognition. The last time the award was given was in Season 81, when fellow Lady Bulldog Princess Robles received it.
Belen was further honored as the Hyundai STARGAZER X Exceptional Player of the Season.
The two additional awards earned her a total of ₱100,000 in cash prizes.
She also received her third Best Outside Spiker citation. Joining her in that category was 21-year-old Angel Canino of De La Salle, who claimed the same award for the second time in her three-year UAAP career.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Belen led the league in ranking points with 381, while Canino followed with 250.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Adamson University’s Shaina Nitura made a huge splash in her rookie year, being named Rookie of the Year after an explosive debut season. The 20-year-old, who was also the MVP in the UAAP Season 86 Girls’ Division, became the first Adamson player in the 2000s to win the prestigious rookie award in the women’s division.
Nitura racked up a record-breaking 371 total points — the highest-scoring season in UAAP history across all divisions — and proved to be an all-around standout for the Lady Falcons.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
De La Salle’s Shevana Laput, also 20 and in her third playing year, was named Best Opposite Spiker after a dominant campaign. The 6-foot-2 Fil-Australian tallied 275 ranking points, nearly 100 points clear of her closest challenger.
She ranked second in spiking efficiency at 37.43%, registered 22 service aces (0.40 per set), and was fifth in blocking with a 0.51 average per set.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In the middle, the Best Middle Blocker awards were earned by two consistent performers — 21-year-old Amie Provido of La Salle and 23-year-old Niña Ytang of the University of the Philippines. Provido, in her third year, tallied 179 RP, while Ytang, in her fourth year, registered 166 RP.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Both recorded 30 total blocks, averaging 0.55 and 0.54 per set, respectively, while also contributing on offense and from the service line.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Camilla “Lams” Lamina, 23, and a senior setter for NU, took home her second Best Setter award, three seasons after first winning the honor in her rookie year (Season 84). Lamina led the league in excellent sets with an average of 5.34 per frame, finishing with 185 RP.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Rounding out the season’s top performers was La Salle’s Lyka De Leon, 23, who was named Best Libero with 210 RP. The fourth-year defensive specialist led the league in reception efficiency with a 47.31% rate and averaged 2.84 digs per set.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, the UST Golden Tigresses were officially awarded their bronze medals after finishing third in the tournament.
