If only she could do it all, Bella Belen would.
Belen almost single-handedly kept Capital1 alive in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, but it wasn’t enough as Galeries Tower delivered a shock straight-sets victory, 25-16, 25-20, 30-28, to advance in the play-in stage on Tuesday.
With the Highrisers just two points away from closing the match at 23-20, Belen took it upon herself to breathe life into the Solar Spikers’ dwindling chances.
The 2025 PVL Draft top overall pick scored four straight points during Capital1’s 5-1 run, even giving them a set point at 25-24.
Although she misfired on the next play, Belen responded with a smart drop shot from the pipe to regain set point at 26-25 — but the team ultimately couldn’t finish the job.
Her final hammer came in the form of a backrow spike that tied the set at 28, yet Jean Asis and Gayle Pascual orchestrated the Galeries Tower win.
(C) PVL Images
“Nakakalungkot kasi pakiramdam ko kaya naman sana namin. I feel like meron pa sana akong ginawa to contribute sana sa team para mapanalo sana namin sa team,” said Belen after her team bowed out.
“Ayun, maraming lessons din this conference na kailangan talaga naming ma-absorb para for the next conference, ready na yung team.”
Belen once again posted a 20-point game with 21 points, adding 12 digs and nine receptions. Still, her attacking options were somewhat limited, going just 20-of-71.
For Belen, stepping up when her team needed her most is part of who she is.
“Sa akin naman, sa part ko, ganun talaga ako. I mean, pag tough situations, I feel like kaya ko.”
However, the 5-foot-7 do-it-all spiker also welcomed the idea of having more consistent support to create a more unpredictable attack for the Solar Spikers.
Beyond Belen’s 21-point effort, Capital1’s next highest scorer was Cherry Nunag with just seven points, followed by Leila Cruz and Shaya Adorador with five points each.
“Siguro mas magiging maganda nga siguro kung buong team siguro. Pinag-usapan nga kami ni Coach Jorge kanina na parang… It’s all about mental game talaga siya, yung tapang, yung puso sa paglalaro kailangan nandoon,” shared Belen.
“I feel like yun din yung kulang pa ng team siguro, dahil hindi pa ganoon karami yung experience namin as a team or as a player, kaya ganun yung nangyayari. Pero feeling ko naman mapupunta rin kami sa situation na yun na kahit sino ipasok, kahit sino maglaro kayang pumuntos for the team.”
#WATCH: HINDI PA GANUN KARAMI YUNG EXPERIENCE NAMIN 🏐
Despite another 20-point outing, Bella Belen knows she could have done more to keep Capital1’s #PVL2026 campaign alive#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/Jbo6BqWHyb
📹 @justinvalencia_ /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/LK37dnXYFZ
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 24, 2026
