Bella Belen remains far from satisfied following her impressive PVL debut.
Bella Belen’s dream of playing professional volleyball has finally come true.
The first-overall pick of the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft, Belen made her highly-anticipated debut for the Capital1 Solar Spikers as they opened their PVL Reinforced Conference campaign at the Ynares Center in Montalban on Tuesday, October 7.
Although Belen didn’t waste any time making her presence felt for Capital1, her efforts went for naught as the Choco Mucho Flying Titans’ veteran composure was too much for her and the Solar Spikers to handle on opening day.
“Syempre I’m very happy kasi ‘yun nga nakapaglaro na ako, pero sadly hindi po kami nanalo. Sayang kasi feel ko kaya naman namin ma-push pa ‘yung game pero kinapos lang,” Belen said following Capital1’s 31-33, 24-26, 25-23 loss to the Flying Titans.
Belen finished with 20 points, 18 digs, and 12 receptions against the Flying Titans as she brought her elite feel for the game to the professional ranks. Stellar numbers, yes, but the former National University captain was quick to downplay her opening act.
“Ako naman kasi, lagi ko lang iniisip kung ano ‘yung kailangan ko i-contribute sa team and kung ano pa ‘yung mga kaya kong gawin sa susunod na game, kasi ‘yung mga score, ‘yung mga stats, hindi ko naman tinitignan. Kailangan ko lang talaga mag-perform nang maayos,” she reflected.
“Di ko naman ine-expect na maging main scorer kasi volleyball is a group effort talaga para manalo. So di ko naman pinapasan ‘yung ganon, wala sa isip ko ‘yun and iniisip ko lang kung ano ‘yung maco-contribute ko sa team.”
Given that Capital1 pushed a veteran-laden Choco Mucho to their limit, Bella Belen hopes they can still improve their composure as the new PVL conference moves forward, especially after they faltered in crunch time throughout the opening day loss.
“Like ‘yung mga long rallies kasi may mga times na humihinto kami. So siguro, kulang pa kami sa tibay ng loob and ‘yung trust din sa isa’t isa kasi doon mangagaling lahat; kasi ‘yung game namin halos lahat dikit — ‘yung mga padulo, lalo ‘yung first set. Grabe ‘yung mga last point,” Belen lamented.
Being a true-blooded competitor, the star hitter is also determined to build on her strong debut with the Solar Spikers.
“Feel ko mas kaya ko pa siyang itaas, mas may kaya pa akong gawin. Pero okay na rin siguro since first game, may jitters, ganyan; so mas kaya ko pa siyang gandahan sa susunod na games,” Belen admitted.
“Kailangan ‘yung patience ko sa paglalaro nandoon. Hindi na katulad ng UAAP, ibang level na talaga and lahat gusto manalo, kahit ‘yung mga kalaban. So ‘yun, kailangan may patience lang talaga sa team.”
Bella Belen and Capital1 will return to action next Monday, October 13, as they take on the PLDT High Speed Hitters at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.