Even as Bella Belen exploded for 26 points, Creamline managed to limit her impact during the most crucial moments.
Capital1’s top rookie turned in another brilliant outing, but the Cool Smashers’ disciplined defense and timely adjustments blunted her influence in the decisive stretches, paving the way for a 25-18, 26-24, 25-20 victory over the Solar Spikers on Saturday.
“Actually, target talaga namin yung ganong situation na medyo ma-control namin si Bella. Happy ako kasi yung mga last na rotation ni Bella, medyo madadalang na yung puntos niya,” said Meneses of his former ward after the win.
Belen stayed red-hot, extending her 20-point streak to five games with 24 attacks, one ace, one block, and nine excellent digs.
But despite the numbers, her impact was tempered during the match’s pivotal moments — particularly in the second set. Capital1 surged to a 23-17 lead before unraveling in the extension, as Creamline tightened its defense and execution.
Belen was held to just one point during that stretch, allowing the Solar Spikers a 24-23 lead before Jema Galanza and Bernadeth Pons stepped up to secure the 2-0 advantage for the Cool Smashers.
(C) PVL Images
“Kahit na sunod-sunod yung puntos niya, importante kasi yung crucial points, mai-stop namin si Bella,” said Meneses, who coached Belen during her final UAAP season, which culminated in a championship.
“I think successful naman yung ano namin, yung goal namin para kay Bella. Pero knowing Bella, talagang di siya bibitaw, so naging maganda lang siguro yung composure ng team pagdating kay Bella. I think nakuha naman namin,” he added.
Cool Smashers veterans Jia De Guzman and Jema Galanza, both former teammates of Belen at Alas Pilipinas last year, were quick to acknowledge her performance, recognizing the pressure she consistently applies on the floor and the challenge of containing a scorer of her caliber.
“Yung number one kay Bella dyan, she’s very competitive, like what we expected. As much as we want to put a stop to her scoring, na-expect din namin na she will keep scoring, and she will fight until the end,” said De Guzman.
“Makikita mo talaga sa kanya na yung fighting spirit niya. Siya yung mga pro na hindi susuko. Kaya siya pa yung magbibigay talaga ng motivation sa teammates niya. So, sobrang happy lang for her na ang laki na, mas go-grow siya ngayon sa pro,” added Galanza.
#WATCH: IT’S HARD TO STOP HER 🏐
Jia De Guzman is all praises for Bella Belen after their first-ever #PVL2026 encounter#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/b0KCKEf0QI
📹 @jonashdcd /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/JjnKnbAmIG
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) February 21, 2026
