National University stars Bella Belen and Leo Aringo were among the top awardees at the Collegiate Press Corps awards.
UAAP champions Bella Belen and Leo Aringo bannered NU volleyball as they each received UAAP Player of the Year awards for women’s and men’s volleyball at the Collegiate Press Corps awards night, held at Discovery Suites in Ortigas on Monday.
Belen and Aringo, who are both headed for professional teams after their careers in NU, were among the cream of the crop recognized by the print and online journalists covering the beat.
Belen, for her part, nabbed her third Player of the Year award from the CPC, coinciding with her three championship runs with the NU Lady Bulldogs in the UAAP. Aringo received his first citation.
According to Belen, it was an honor to be chosen to represent UAAP volleyball athletes, especially since the league boasts many talented players.
“I’m very happy kasi na-recognize ulit ako. Hindi ko po ine-expect talaga, nagulat na lang po ako… Kasi hindi lang naman ako yung volleyball collegiate athlete sa babae and ako po yung na-recognize. So I’m very thankful.” she said.
Belen and Aringo were both joined by their coaches, Sherwin Meneses and Dante Alinsunurin, who were likewise awarded with UAAP women’s and men’s volleyball coaches of the year for leading their teams to the title.
Meneses was able to deliver the women’s volleyball title to NU in just his first year with the team, while Alinsunurin successfully led NU to a historic five-peat in men’s volleyball.
Ateneo’s Kacey Dela Rosa was also among top athletes recognized as she was named the Collegiate Women’s Basketball Player of the Year for her back-to-back MVP seasons with the Blue Eagles.
She was also part of the Mythical Team, which included UST’s Kent Pastrana, NU’s Cielo Pagdulagan, Adamson’s Elaine Etang, and UP’s Louna Ozar.Over on the men’s side, JD Cagulangan of UP, and Kevin Quiambao and Mike Phillips of
La Salle were among the Mythical Team members.UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde and NU’s Aris Dimaunahan were UAAP coaches of the year for the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively.
History was also made as football was recognized in the history of the CPC with FEU’s Mon Diansuy and Carmela Altiche recognized as the UAAP men’s and women’s football Players of the Year for their title runs in UAAP Season 87.