By MARK REY MONTEJO
Bella Belen may have had a number of achievements in her young but already flourishing career – two UAAP MVP awards and two titles for the National University at that – but for her, those still pale in comparison to the honor of representing the country in the international stage.
The 21-year-old Belen was recently named as part of the Alas Pilipinas along with a few other big names in the collegiate scene and established stars from the PVL for the AVC Challenge Cup set from May 23 to 26.
“Every volleyball player naman po ‘yon po talaga ang ultimate dream na maging parte ng national team and makapag-compete internationally,” Belen said after the Lady Bulldogs won the UAAP Season 86 crown on Wednesday evening, May 15.
“Sobrang nakakaproud din sa sarili kasi nakikita rin pala ng ibang tao ‘yong pinaghihirapan ko and parang gusto nila akong maging part ng national team, and ‘yon po sobrang happy po [ako],” she added.
Belen and the Bulldogs made history for the Sampaloc-based squad, winning their fourth overall title in league’s history before a 22,515 rapturous crowd inside the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The psychology student from NU is thrilled to be part of the Nationals where she will be playing alongside veterans like Choco Mucho’ s Sisi Rondina and Denso’s Jia Morado-De Guzman.
Belen said she’s looking forward to picking up the brains of some of the best volleyball players in the country.
“No’ng nakita ko po ‘yong pool ng lineup na nandoon sila ate Sisi (Rondina), sila ate Jia Morado(-De Guzman), Eya (Laure), ‘yong mga veteran, ‘yong mga di ko po naging teammate,” she continued.
“Sobrang nakaka-excite din kasi marami talagang pwedeng matutunan sa kanila kasi sobrang dami narin nilang experience sa local at international,” she added.
Aside from the seasoned spikers, Belen is also excited to play alongside UAAP rival and La Salle standout Angel Canino.
“Nakakexcite din po kasi magkalaban kami sa UAAP eh, so it’s time naman na maging magkakampi kami and magkakaiba kami ng pinanggalingan ng school,” said Belen.
“Pero once na pagsamahin naman kami I think magcli-click naman kaagad kasi matagal naman na kaming magkakilala,” she added.
Other members of Alas Pilipinas are pros in the likes of Cignal’s Vanie Gandler and Dawn Macandili-Catindi, Chery Tiggo’s Eya Laure and Jen Nierva, PLDT’s Dell Palomata, Akari’s Fifi Sharma and Faith Nisperos and Choco Mucho’s Cherry Nunag.
Aside from Belen and Canino, other collegiate stars in the team are UE’s Casiey Dongallo, NU’s Alyssa Solomon, DLSU’s Julia Coronel and Thea Gagate.
