Bella Belen was limited to a career-low two points in National University’s win over Ateneo de Manila University last Wednesday due to lower back pain.
On Sunday, Belen rebounded big with a 14-point output, along with 14 excellent receptions and seven digs.
More importantly, the Lady Bulldogs finally cracked De La Salle University’s code for the first time since Season 84 with a 22-25, 25-23, 25-16, 25-22 win in a jampacked SM Mall of Asia Arena.
While it looked like Belen was no longer nursing that back pain, she shared postgame that it was still there.
However, the 21-year-old Psychology student used what she learned in school to counter that pain.
“Before po kasi sa training meron pa rin pero as a psychology student, it’s all in the mind.
“Kaya pag tinatanong ako kanina ng coach kung masakit ba yung likod ko, iniisip ko lagi hindi kasi feeling ko the more na iiisipin ko na masakit yung likod ko, the more na magiging hindrance sa paglalaro ko,” said the Season 84 Rookie MVP.
What also helped her during the latter stages of the game was the rush of the opportunity to finally retaliate against the Lady Spikers, who had dealt them five straight defeats and stole their crown in Season 85.
With this fifth-straight win by the Lady Bulldogs, they now hold a share of the top spot along with the University of Santo Tomas at 10-2. Meanwhile, La Salle slipped to 9-2.
“Siguro dahil din sa adrenaline and nafeel ko yung support ng bawat isa sa amin kung may masakit man o wala talagang binigay yung best kasi hindi lang naman po ako yung nararamdaman sa katawan,” continued the 5-foot-7 spiker from Quezon City.
But despite the huge win against the defending champions, Belen is not thinking too far ahead, downplaying this victory as they still have two games left in the elimination round before the Final Four.
NU will next face Adamson University on Saturday before finishing with Far Eastern University.
“Ako po personally hindi pa po ganon masyado kasi may games pa po eh so yun nga lagi naman kaming one game at a time. Hindi namin iniisip yung future, kung ano yung ngayon yun po yung iniisip namin,” said Belen.
“Siguro yung championship dadating sa amin yan pag nagtrabaho kami kasi naniniwala po ako lahat ng pagod may kapalit.”
