Bella Belen credits her BS Psychology degree for helping her stay calm and focused on the court, as the NU Lady Bulldogs are now one win away from back-to-back UAAP titles.
NU superstar Bella Belen isn't just chasing back-to-back UAAP titles — she's doing it fresh off of earning her psychology degree.
Just days before helping the Lady Bulldogs take Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball Finals against the DLSU Lady Spikers, Belen walked the graduation stage at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
[ALSO READ: NU’s Bella Belen, Sheena Toring, Erin Pangilinan celebrate graduation ahead of UAAP Finals]
For Belen, who finished with 19 points to go along with 15 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions in NU’s 25-17, 25-21, 13-25, 25-17 victory on Sunday, her academic milestone is just as meaningful as any on-court accolade.
“I'm very happy kasi siyempre ‘yung diploma, hindi siya biro sa isang estudyante,” Belen told reporters after the match. “May mga nagsasabi na porket student-athlete kami, nakapasa lang kami dahil doon. Hindi. Nag-aaral din kami, nagpupuyat din kami.”
But Belen’s degree in psychology isn’t just figurative. The MVP frontrunner applies her studies daily, especially when the pressure spikes during tight sets.
“Malaking bagay rin na nakapagtapos ako ng Psych. Nahe-help niya ako in a way kung paano ako mag-isip sa loob ng court. Kunwari pag dikit yung laban, ‘di ko kailangang ma-rattle. Merong laging solusyon sa problema. Positive lang lagi ‘yung thinking,” she explained.
Her academic background also helps her connect better with teammates.
“Alam ko kung paano sila ia-approach. ‘Yung iba gusto malumanay lang, ‘yung iba kailangan pinu-push mo. Ako gusto ko rin ganyan. So malaking bagay ‘yung understanding sa kanila as people, hindi lang as players.”
[ALSO READ: Familiarity key to NU’s convincing Game 1 victory vs La Salle in UAAP Season 87 Finals]
The dual achievement of earning her degree and being one win away from a second straight UAAP championship is not lost on Belen, who sees the Finals as the perfect last feather to her college cap.
“’Yun talaga ang goal namin this year — mag-graduate at maging back-to-back [champion],” she said. “’Di siya magiging madali kasi palaban ang La Salle, but we’re ready to work hard.”
And to fellow student-athletes, Belen has a message: it can be done.
“Hindi siya imposible. Kailangan lang magsumikap, marunong sa time management, at mag-set ng priorities. Para balang araw, makapagtapos din kayo.”
Belen and the Lady Bulldogs look to clinch the UAAP Season 87 crown in Game 2 on Wednesday, May 14 at the Mall of Asia Arena.