SOME PEOPLE ARE BORN TO BE GREAT, such as National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs’ outgoing standout player Bella Belen, who solidified her reputation by entering and quitting the university drenched in gold.
After years of serving the Sampaloc-based university, Belen has played her final UAAP game, and there is no better way to leave than to leave a legacy for the future generation to build on.
She finished her collegiate career as a three-time women’s volleyball Most Valuable Player and champion. However, it was more than simply another title; it was a complete circle moment for the volleyball star.
Represent The Roots
Belen and many of her teammates competed in UAAP Juniors as part of NU-Nazareth School’s volleyball program. They first tasted UAAP success in 2015, winning the Girls’ Volleyball Championship in Season 77.
Now that they have had the time to reflect on the magnitude of their accomplishments throughout the years, the former Rookie-MVP believes that their back-to-back championships are the icing on the cake.
“For me, extra special siya kasi isa na rin siya sa factor na last playing year namin,” Belen said. “Parang kung gaano kami kaganda pumasok nung Season 84, dapat ganoon din kaganda yung pag-alis namin.”
However, she is not unfamiliar with the concept of winning. Belen has won eight UAAP titles in all, including her high school season, with five in the girls’ division (Seasons 77-80 and 82) and three in seniors division.
Nonetheless, she confesses that the most recent title was the sweetest. It was about Belen’s ability to maintain her pledge, which she made to herself, her teammates, and the program she helped establish.
“May hinahanap din kasi kami na goal na back-to-back [titles]—gusto namin maiwan siya sa NU kasi hindi namin nagawa nung Season 85 and history din siya for NU,” she shared.
“Para rin makita rin ng susunod na batch na walang imposible and kaya naman nila, as long as nagtatrabaho and as one,” she went on to say.
The Sampaloc Bond
The departure of NU’s senior players may have left a void, but it also brought with it a blueprint. Furthermore, Belen has already established a family in Sampaloc, which is more essential to her.
“Yung teammates ko matagal ko na nakasama, parang 11 years ko na rin sila kasama,” she said. “Pag linook back ko yung panahon ko sa NU, sila agad una ko na maaalala.
“Hindi yung mga championship, hindi yung mga trophy, kumbaga yung pagsasama namin kasi ‘yon yung hindi mapapalitan ng kahit sino — yung nabuo namin na samahan,” she added.
Passing the torch was easy, given that young talents like Shaina Jardio and Vange Alinsug were already carving their own paths, sharing Finals MVP honors for the first time in UAAP volleyball history.
“Malaki ang tiwala namin, lalo na sa mga maiiwan,” Belen said. “Kasi syempre, sa training pa lang, kita na namin kung gaano sila ka-hardworking and kilala namin sila personally.”
“Hindi nila papabayaan yung team na kahit sino ‘man yung grumaduate or kung sino ‘man yung umalis. Talagang alam ko na in good hands pa rin yung NU,” she added.
Bella Belen leaves NU not only as one of its finest student-athletes, but also as a symbol of long-term achievement, unwavering loyalty, and an indelible legacy. Now, let’s celebrate greatness and see where she takes her talent.
