Bella Belen simply knew when to take over as she powered the Capital1 Solar Spikers past the ZUS Coffee Coffee Thunderbelles in their 2026 PVL All-Filipino opener.
Bella Belen wasted no time setting the tone for the Capital1 Solar Spikers in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
The No. 1 overall pick unloaded a career-high 26 points to power the Solar Spikers past the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, 25-17, 25-16, 15-25, 25-19, on Tuesday at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan.
Despite the scoring outburst, Belen pointed to a total team effort as the reason for her big night.
“Very happy ako na napanalo namin ‘yung game. Hindi ko naman magagawa ‘yung ganung karaming points without the help of my teammates,” Belen told reporters after the match. “Hindi ko rin ginoal ‘yung ganung karami—kailangan ko lang gawin ‘yung trabaho ko na mag-contribute.”
[ALSO READ: Jimenez, Adorador give timely support as Capital1 nabs first PVL All-Filipino win]
Killer instinct on display
Still, it was Belen who delivered when Capital1 needed a closer.
With the Thunderbelles threatening to extend the match, the Solar Spikers found themselves trailing 13–17 in the fourth set before Belen sparked a decisive 12–2 finishing run.
The three-time UAAP MVP scored half of Capital1’s points in that stretch, which she later attributed to habits she carried over from her collegiate days.
“May chance na kaming tapusin ‘yung set, pero lumalaban pa rin si ZUS,” she explained. “'Pag binigyan namin sila ng chance, baka masilat pa kami. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, kailangan i-push ko na—ilabas ko na lahat.”
“Siguro ‘yung pagkakaroon ng killer instinct, nadala ko siya from NU hanggang ngayon sa PVL,” she said.
[ALSO READ: Bella Belen embraces challenge of leading new-look Capital1 in PVL All-Filipino]
With Capital1 rolling out a retooled lineup this season, Belen stressed that the focus remains grounded despite the strong start.
“Game by game muna kami,” she shared. “Kung ano ‘yung game plan namin every game, kung paano namin maipapanalo. Ganun lang naman palagi, so ‘yun, one game at a time.”
Up next for Belen and the Solar Spikers will be another big test against the Nxled Chameleons on Saturday, February 7, at the Ynares Center Montalban.
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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.