Bella Belen just keeps soaring higher.
Belen rose once again, matching her career-high as she carried Capital1 to a thrilling five-set triumph over an Eya Laure-less Choco Mucho, 25-21, 18-25, 25-18, 19-25, 15-10, in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference at the Filoil Centre.
The top overall pick of the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft erupted for 29 points, matching the career-high she set back in the UAAP Season 85 semifinals, when she carried National University past Adamson University in four sets on May 3, 2023.
Her 29-point performance marked the third time in four games that she has reset her career-high in the pros, following 26 points in Capital1’s debut win over ZUS Coffee and 28 in a loss to PLDT. This also extended her streak of 20-point games to four in the all-local tournament.
The 23-year-old outside spiker, who scored five points in the fifth set, recorded 25 attacks, two kill blocks, and two aces, along with 15 excellent digs and seven excellent receptions, as the Solar Spikers evened their record at 2-2.
(C) PVL Images
“For me, maganda ‘yung pinakita ng team kasi hindi naman madaling kalaban ‘yung Choco Mucho,” said Belen, who sat out much of the fourth set to stretch before returning in the fifth and leading Capital1 to victory.
Belen capped her brilliant outing when the PVL Press Corps handed her the Philippine Sportswriters Association’s Ms. Volleyball Award right after the game, an honor she had missed receiving the previous night at the Diamond Hotel while under the weather.
“Very honored and grateful talaga kasi hindi ko naman po ineexpect na magkakaroon po ako ng ganitong klaseng award, kasi hindi po siya birong awards—maraming magagaling at talented na players. So, I’m very thankful sa PSA, kung sino man po ang nagboto, maraming salamat po,” said the Alas Pilipinas standout.
After battling cramps for much of the fourth set, Belen came back in the decider and broke the 6-all deadlock with back-to-back hits, including a clutch cut shot that gave the Solar Spikers an 8-6 edge.
She faltered on the next rally but quickly bounced back with consecutive conversions, helping the Solar Spikers stretch a three-point cushion they never relinquished, before Sydney Niegos and Ezra Madrigal put the finishing touches on the two-hour, 18-minute victory.
“Talagang palaban din sila na team, and kami naman, sabi lang namin gawin namin ‘yung role namin as a player, at kung ano ‘yung game plan namin, kailangan mag-stick lang doon,” she added.
Belen was the lone Solar Spiker in double digits, with Madrigal and Shaya Adorador chipping in seven points apiece. Roma Mae Doromal registered 22 excellent receptions, while Pauline Gaston and Ysa Jimenez each added six markers as Capital1 bounced back from back-to-back losses to Nxled and PLDT.
Capital1 aims to score back-to-back wins when they take on Creamline on Saturday, 4 p.m., at the same San Juan venue.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, the Flying Titans dropped their third consecutive game after a winning debut, as Laure missed the contest due to a re-aggravation of her groin and abdominal injuries.
Sisi Rondina paced the team with 22 points and 10 excellent receptions, while Kat Tolentino and team captain Des Cheng put up 19 and 15 points, respectively, with Cheng adding 14 excellent digs. Deanna Wong dished out 16 excellent sets, while Thang Ponce finished with 29 excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions in the loss that dropped Choco Mucho to 1-3.
The Flying Titans look to get out of their slump against Galeries Tower on February 26, 6:30 p.m., also at Filoil.
