From being an undersized rookie once doubted for her height, Bella Belen rose through grit, growth, and unwavering belief to become a three-time UAAP MVP and one of Philippine volleyball’s brightest stars.
When people see Bella Belen now— three-time UAAP MVP, champion, and a key figure in Alas Pilipinas—it’s easy to assume she’s always been destined for greatness. But behind the medals and accolades, Bella's story is one that speaks to every dreamer who’s ever been told they’re not enough.
Long before shining under the bright lights of the UAAP and proudly wearing Philippines on her jersey, Bella was just another kid trying to find her place in the hyper-competitive world of high school volleyball.
A humble start at NU Nazareth
It started at the Nazareth School of National University, known for producing standout names like Faith Nisperos and Thea Gagate—fellow products of the program and now national teammates. For Bella, just being around these "big names" as a young player was intimidating.
“Siguro, nasabi ko lang na belong ako sa group pag-alis pa lang nila ate Faith,” she recalled. “Kasi sila po ‘yong mga big names that time, eh. ‘Yong skills nila sa akin, sobrang layo pa that time.”
She remembered being in Grade 7, unsure of her chances to join a UAAP-level team: “Alam ko talaga sa sarili ko ‘yon kaya tinrabaho ko talaga.”
Too small? Too early to tell
During a feature on The Starting Lineup, host Boom Gonzales shared a memory of Bella standing beside Faith and Thea as a youngster.
“You can see sa audience natin kung gaano kaliit si Bella compared to Thea and Faith,” he said. “One of the reasons daw kung bakit may alinlangang kunin ka is dahil sa size mo. Tapos open spiker, parang napakaliit niya.”
But coach Babes Castillo, architect of NU’s volleyball dynasty, saw something else: “Ang pinaglalaban niya, magkaka-growth spurt ka raw. And two, bilib na bilib siya sa all-around skills mo.”
“Ang alam ko lang po is about my height, bata pa lang po kasi ako that time, pwede pang tumangkad,” Bella added. “I’m very thankful kasi parang nagtiwala sila sa akin.”
Cut threats, competition, and Camilla Lamina
Bella’s early years weren’t glamorous. Her first inclusion in the team lineup came in Grade 8—but even then, she barely saw action. Rumors of her being cut from the team loomed large.
“Kasi before no’n, parang may naririnig ako na tatanggalin ako,” she admitted.
“That was the time na papasok sina Camilla Lamina and Barbie Jamili. Sobrang galing ni Barbie, and then ako naman as competitive, tinignan ko po ‘yong highlights niya. Sabi ko [sa sarili ko], hindi ako pwedeng hindi ma-lineup. Mauunahan pa ako ng rookie.”
It’s a sentiment many young athletes can relate to—the fear of being left behind, the pressure to prove that you belong.
A coach’s faith, a player’s work ethic
“Marami akong natutunan kay coach Babes lalo na noong panahon na hindi ako ka-skillful talaga,” Bella admitted.
For Belen, it was never just about natural talent. It was about work, perseverance, and nowing that if the skill wasn’t there yet, it could be built.
Coach Babes, who had set out in the early 2010s to turn NU-Nazareth into a juniors powerhouse, saw in Bella not what she was, but what she could be. That belief—from coach to athlete—planted a seed.
For every underdog
Bella Belen’s story isn’t just one of volleyball success.
It’s a blueprint for every student-athlete who has doubted themselves, who’s been told they’re too small, not skilled enough, or not ready.
It’s a reminder that greatness doesn’t always look obvious at the start. Sometimes, it takes one coach’s belief, a benchwarmer’s grit, and a dream too big to ignore.
Watch the full episode here: