National University cemented Bella Belen's legacy by retiring her iconic No. 4 jersey, the first in Lady Bulldogs history, honoring her as a three-time UAAP MVP and program-changing champion.
National University has officially retired Bella Belen’s No. 4 jersey in an emotional ceremony during its UAAP Season 88 pep rally on Thursday, Sept. 4, at the Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay City.
A first for the Lady Bulldogs program, Belen leaves behind a legacy unlike any other in modern collegiate volleyball.
She was the first-ever Rookie-MVP in UAAP history back in Season 84, powering NU to end its 65-year title drought.
Belen went on to collect two more UAAP MVPs in Seasons 86 and 87, joining an exclusive list of three-time winners that includes Alyssa Valdez and Monica Aleta.
Her career haul also includes multiple Best Outside Hitter awards, Best Server, and Exceptional Player honors, while leading NU to seven championships across the juniors and seniors divisions.
[ALSO READ: Ciao, Bella: Three-time MVP Mhicaela Belen looks back on decade-long UAAP career with NU]
Belen becomes just the third player in UAAP history to have her jersey retired by her school, joining Rachel Anne Daquis' jersey No. 3 with FEU and Manilla Santos's jersey No. 14 with DLSU.
NU officials called the tribute more than just recognition of her accolades, but a statement of what she represented to the community.
For the fans and the school, raising Belen’s jersey to the rafters was a symbolic closing of an era—cementing her not only as a champion, but as the face of NU’s volleyball dynasty.