Bella Belen talks about her early experience as a professional player.
Throughout her time with National University, Bella Belen got the opportunity to play before capacity crowds at the SM Mall of Asia Arena and SMART Araneta Coliseum in the UAAP Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
Iconic school chants and drum lines became the soundtrack of Bella’s collegiate journey, while fans lining up to get selfies and autographs turned into a post-game ritual of sorts for the star spiker. Yet for all the support she has received, Bella still gets amazed by how passionate local volleyball fans can be.
Now playing in the PVL with the Capital1 Solar Spikers, Bella Belen admits to The GAME that one of the early surprises in her rookie conference has been different kind of fan support in the pro ranks—a departure from the school pride-driven passion she was used to in the UAAP.
“‘Yung ibang fans, kahit fans sila ng ibang team, nakikita ko nag-cheer sila sa amin! Like kanina sa game, nariirinig ko sila,” Bella said in an exclusive interview following her first-ever PVL win with Capital1 against the Nxled Chameleons on Thursday.
Bella and Capital1’s win against the Nxled Chameleons preceded a marquee matchup between the PLDT High Speed Hitters and Choco Mucho Flying Titans, with some of their fans arriving early enough to catch the Solar Spikers and Chameleons in action at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
For Bella, seeing these fans cheer for her and the Solar Spikers was nothing short of heartwarming, especially since they are a young team playing in a league filled with established contenders and fan-favorites.
“So parang ‘yung fans nila, nagchi-cheer din sa amin! So nakaka-overwhelm siya and at the same time, nakakaganang maglaro na kasi nakikita kami ng ibang fans na, ah, magandang suportahan ‘yung Capital1, ganyan,” she said.
Knowing the impact of the “seventh man”, this is why Bella herself continues to place an importance on fan service. Similar to her UAAP days, the Capital1 rookie entertains as many fans as she can before heading to her team’s dugout or media room for post-game press conferences.
“Talagang nakaka-overwhelm pa din [the fans] kasi siyempre iba naman ‘yung atmosphere ni UAAP sa PVL, so ayun nakaka-overwhelm pa din and at the same time, sobrang happy ako pag nakikita ko na like after game, may gusto magpapicture, ganyan,” said Bella, with fans lining up along the Araneta Coliseum stands in an attempt to get a photo or autograph.
“So ayun, tsaka I’m trying my best na magpapicture, so sorry po sa mga martial kasi baka naiinis na sila!” Bella added in jest. “So ayun, I’m very happy sa mga ganon pong tao.”
Better than advertised
Even if she may still be adjusting, Bella Belen has been better than advertised for Capital1 two games into her pro career, averaging 14 points and 3.57 digs per set. Also worth noting is her 20-point, 18-dig, 12-reception triple-double in Capital1’s scrapped opener against Choco Mucho last October 7 in Montalban, Rizal.
Adjusting to life outside of her comfort zone is no easy task, but Bella knows that she can only get better if she goes through the learning curve of being a first-time professional player.
“Pag lagi po kasi ako may nae-encounter na bago, lagi ko siyang tinetake as challenge talaga sa sarili ko. Sa NU, iba ‘yung sistema namin, sa Capital, iba rin ‘yung sistema,” Belen, a part of NU’s Golden Generation, said.
“So wala akong time, like hindi ko kailangan mag-reklamo, ganyan; parang ite-take ko siya as a challenge talaga para to improve din as a player kasi matutulungan din ako nun eh. Like kung ito na ‘yung alam ko, pwede ko pa siyang dagdagan.”
Images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.