National University ace Mhicaela Belen tipped her hat to fellow Rookie of the Year-Most Valuable Player winner, Angel Canino of La Salle, after the Lady Bulldogs lost to the Lady Spikers in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament championship on Sunday.
Belen made history in Season 84 by becoming the first-ever ROY-MVP in women’s volleyball, while Canino replicated her predecessor’s feat this season after an impressive rookie year that led the Lady Spikers to their first title since Season 80.
“Deserve niya naman po talaga yung award.
“Yung pinakita niya po talaga this season is sobrang ganda, defense, offense, makikita naman po talaga natin na talagang nag-trabaho siya,” said Belen just moments after NU’s heartbreaking five-set loss in Game 2.
“Yung passion niya nandun din talaga, very proud din [ako] sa kanya kasi nakasama ko na rin siya before e. So I know na grabe rin po yung sipag ni Angel kaya siguro nakuha rin niya yung mga awards na yun,” added Belen, who shared a tight hug with Canino after the match.
Canino, who was also named one of the Best Outside Spikers of the tournament, finished with 19 points, including 12 spikes, six aces, and a block in the Lady Spikers’ title-clinching 19-25, 23-25, 25-15, 25-17, 15-10 win over the Lady Bulldogs at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Meanwhile, Belen was limited to just 11 points as NU failed to close out the game despite winning the first two sets.
The NSNU product also downplayed her staredown battle with Canino back in Game One, saying that they are good friends outside the court.
“I think yung mga gumagawa lang naman ng mga yun is yung mga fans,” the 20-year-old NU lifer.
“Kasi part naman po siya ng game, parang iniisip nila magkaaway or what pero sa labas naman po ng game magkakaibigan naman po talaga kami.”
Belen also praised the entire La Salle team for the heart they showed throughout their massive comeback in Game Two, which stunned the Lady Bulldogs.
“Ano naman po sa La Salle, hands down kasi talagang nakita po namin na gusto talaga nila yung game. Kasi lamang na po kami ng two sets, talagang hinabol nila kami like makikita sa kanila na gusto nilang tapusin na yung game,” said Belen.
Despite the tough loss, Belen remains proud of what NU has achieved this season.
“Ayun nga proud naman po ako sa teammates ko kasi nilaban po namin hanggang dulo. Hindi po kami bumitaw agad-agad. Ayun, maraming room for improvements po.”
