Alas Pilipinas’ Bella Belen might be spiking on the court, but at the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship, she’s been collecting highlights in the fan zone—complete with video greets, mascots, and maybe even a future love team.
Alas Pilipinas star Bella Belen is used to fans lining up for her.
But at the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship, she flipped the script—joining the fan zone like a regular volleyball stan, waiting her turn just to catch a glimpse of Bulgaria’s rising setter, Simeon “Moni” Nikolov.
Pa-sharawt, idol!
It all began online. Belen had fans giggling when she reposted a special video greeting from Nikolov on her Instagram story.
“Hi Bella! I met you on social media, I hope I can meet you in real life. Thank you for supporting and hope to see you soon!” Moni said, instantly fueling the Bella-Moni fangirl agenda.
From IG to IRL
Soon enough, Bella did what most fans do—she lined up in the fan zone, phone in hand, waiting for her moment.
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And when it came? A quick but priceless selfie with Nikolov after Bulgaria’s quarterfinal win over Team USA. Fangirl dream, unlocked.
Days later, she was at it again. After Bulgaria’s sweep of Germany, another picture surfaced—Bella smiling ear to ear beside the Bulgarian playmaker.
At this rate, she wasn’t just a fan—she was becoming a regular fixture in the Bulgarian gallery.
Scarves, Headbands, and Ship Names
Her fangirl chronicles didn’t end with selfies.
Belen showed off a headband from a fan featuring her photo alongside Moni’s, and even posed draped in a Bulgaria scarf during the semifinals.
What started as “normal fangirling” as she puts it had turned into full-on kilig content, with fans joking that Bella looked less like a spectator and more like Moni’s unofficial cheer squad.
Not Just Moni
While Moni was clearly the bias, Bella had her share of other fun encounters too.
She posed with Chile’s standout Noe Aravena (“Picture? Noe problem”), gamely joined a “Jojowain o Totropahin” challenge with fellow fans, and even danced it out with the official FIVB mascot Koolog during a Slovenia-Chile match.
Turns out, the World Championship wasn’t just about world-class volleyball for Bella—it was also a full-blown fangirl playground.
Bella Speaks Out
At the PVL Reinforced Conference press event, Belen finally opened up about her Moni moments.
“Hindi ko naman ine-expect talaga na lalaki, kasi normal fangirling lang siya, eh. I’m just very happy kasi naka-experience ako na mapanood ‘yong mga top teams, top countries ng live,” she said.
Still, she didn’t hide her bias.
“Bias talaga … Lalayo pa ba tayo? Syempre si Moni talaga kasi super young pa niya pero grabe na ‘yong achievements niya. Hindi lang sa World Championship pero sa ibang league pa niya.”
And when asked about the possibility of another encounter, she threw in a message that every fangirl could relate to:
“Siguro… when the time is right?” she laughed, as if speaking for anyone who’s ever waited at a fan zone hoping for their own moment.
[ALSO READ: When athletes become fans: Pinoy stars fangirl and fanboy at the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship]
The Real Score
Bella Belen went to the FIVB Men’s World Championship for inspiration.
Instead, she gave fans the ultimate crossover: one-part fangirl, one-part kilig, and a whole lot of fun.
From selfies with Moni to mascot shenanigans, Bella turned her fangirl era into one of the tournament’s most unexpected highlights.
Because even star athletes know sometimes, the best plays happen off the court.
[RELATED: I love your Pinoy accent: Volleyball stars embrace Filipino vibes at the FIVB]
With reports from Jamie Velaco, Aivan Episcope/One Sports
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Inna Mina is a sportswriter with a passion for telling stories that go beyond the scoreboard.
She covers running, athletics, and other major Philippine sporting events, while also following grassroots sports, athlete journeys, and women in sports. Her work also includes lifestyle stories on health, fitness, and community.