Three-time UAAP MVP Bella Belen looks back on her journey with NU not just as a rise to stardom, but as a lifelong promise to fight for the school that believed in her first.
From a quiet recruit nearly cut from the program to a three-time UAAP MVP and PVL top pick, Bella Belen has become one of the most celebrated names in Philippine volleyball.
But before the awards, the sold-out arenas, and the spotlight, there was National University—a team once overlooked, a program she chose to fight for.
[ALSO READ: The untold story of Bella Belen’s rise from nearly-cut prospect to PVL top pick]
Now standing at the edge of her collegiate journey, Belen is taking a moment to reflect.
“Siguro naabutan ko po kasi ‘yong NU na nasa laylayan,” she said, tears welling up. “Kung paano sila anuhin ng mga tao… kaya kahit anong mangyari, kaya ko silang ipaglaban.”
That quiet fire has always burned within Bella. Even during times when confidence wavered and self-doubt crept in, she remained steady—driven by a desire not just to succeed, but to honor the jersey she wore.
“Parang ako, sabi ko, may kaya pa akong gawin na pwede kong tapatan or higitan kumpara sa nagawa ko before.”
Her growth wasn’t without pain. Belen revealed that at times, her obsession to improve pushed her to unhealthy extremes.
“Minsan hindi siya sa healthy... may time na kahit tapos na ‘yong training, mag-ooverload pa rin ako hanggang sa mapagod na ‘yong katawan ko.” Still, she smiled through the admission. “Maganda naman ‘yong kinalabasan.”
She recalls the early days in NU: ticket-selling booths set up during training, limited attention from fans and media. But things changed—fast.
“Nagulat po kami, napuno po ‘yong buong oval ng NU. First game pa lang namin ‘yon against La Salle.”
The moment stayed with her. It wasn’t a finals match or a rivalry game—but the fans came anyway.
“Mas masarap maglaro kasi parang ang daming naniniwala sa amin.”
As names like Angel Canino, Shaina Nitura, and Angge Poyos rise through the UAAP ranks, Belen finds herself both inspired and challenged.
“Ngayon po, madaming magagaling na players. Malalakas talaga sila,” she said. But with the same grit that brought NU to the top, Bella remains undeterred. “Lalaban ako.”
Even as she takes the next step into the pros, a part of her will always remain rooted in NU—not just the championships, but the transformation.
From a nearly-cut prospect to a cornerstone of NU history, Bella Belen didn’t just rise—she carried a program with her.
And until the very end, she fought. And fought. And fought.
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