Bella Belen said the Alas Pilipinas Women showed enough fight and promise against Indonesia in the SEA Games 2025 bronze medal match to believe that better results are still within reach.
Bella Belen didn’t shy away from her emotions after Alas Pilipinas Women came up short in their podium hunt in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.
After falling to Indonesia in the bronze medal match, Belen admitted the loss was indeed painful, especially after catching glimpses that the national team could match up with one of Southeast Asia’s strongest programs.
“I think kaya talaga ng team, sana, kaso parang kinulang, kinapos,” Belen said. “Nakita naman na may glimpse na kaya ang sumabay sa Indonesia. Pero siguro hindi pa talaga meant for us this season.”
Still, the three-time UAAP MVP stressed that effort was never lacking, pointing to the team’s fight until the final point.
“Naniniwala ako sa teammates ko. Nakita ko yung fighting spirit namin hanggang dulo. Nilaban ng bawat isa,” she said. “Sadyang ngayon, kulang talaga.”
No regrets in the huddle
During the postgame huddle, Belen shared that the message was still full of hope and positivity even as tears fell through.
“Sabi na wala dapat kaming ikalungkot kasi ginawa namin ‘yung best namin,” she shared. “Lumaban kami hanggang dulo. Pinakita namin kung ano yung kaya naming gawin.”
[ALSO READ: Bella Belen targets gold medal with Alas Pilipinas as she savors first SEA Games]
And even in defeat, Belen believes there was value in pushing the Indonesians to their limit.
“Kailangan tingnan pa rin ‘yung bright side na nakalaban namin sila ng maayos,” she said. “Pero sayang talaga—kasi kaya eh.”
A team worth believing in
Asked what she appreciated most about the group, Belen pointed to the collective mindset that defined the campaign.
“Nakita ko 'yung bawat isa na palaban talaga,” she said. “Hindi lang yung first six or second six—lahat ng fourteen players gusto talagang lumaban for the country.”
With the SEA Games now behind them, Belen and the rest of Alas Women know what the next step must be to finally get over the hump.
“Kailangan magsumikap at doble tsaga sa training,” she said. “Kailangan pukpukin pa isa’t isa.”
[ALSO READ: Jia De Guzman stresses need for long-term Alas program after latest SEA Games setback]
(With reports from Katrina Alba/One Sports Digital)
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.