IF three-time UAAP MVP Bella Belen had her way, she already has a star-studded lineup in mind for her dream team.
The Alas Pilipinas and incoming Capital1 ace spiker bared her volleyball wishlist in a vlog with renowned content creator Mimiyuuuh on Sunday.
It features an eclectic mix of familiar faces and fierce rivals, as well as collegiate standouts and pro stars who have all proven themselves in their respective playing fields.
And it’s a stacked crew that can surely take any league or competition by storm, coming from no less than one of the sport’s best all-around players today.
SETTER: Lams Lamina (NU)
Lamina has been Belen’s setter at National U for as long as she can remember.
Winning games and championships from high school to college and now as national team players made the two-time UAAP best setter an easy choice for Belen.
Among all setters there are today, arguably no one knows how to set up Belen's power hits more than Lamina.
“For my setter, Camilla [Lamina], na teammate ko sa NU […] Mataas po ‘yung standard [ng setting niya] which is good,” Belen said.
OUTSIDE SPIKER: Angel Canino (La Salle)
Belen’s perennial college rival-turned-Alas teammate Angel Canino is a shoo-in for her dream team.
The multi-awarded duo remain the lone rookie-MVPs in UAAP volleyball, having split the two championship series they’ve contested over the last three years.
“[Outside hitter ko] si Angel Canino,” Belen said with ease.
OUTSIDE SPIKER: Brooke Van Sickle (Petro Gazz)
From one multiple-time MVP to another, Belen has yet to play along with Petro Gazz star spiker Brooke Van Sickle even as members of Alas.
But that time will soon come, as Van Sickle nears the completion of her federation shift which will allow her to play as a full-fledged Filipino in future international tournaments.
Hence, it’s a no-brainer for the reigning UAAP MVP to aspire to share the court one day with the reigning PVL MVP.
“Si ate Brooke talaga sa Petro Gazz,” the three-time UAAP MVP said.
OPPOSITE HITTER: Alyssa Solomon (NU)
Belen’s ride-or-die in her many years with the Lady Bulldogs, from high school to college and the national team, has been none other than Alyssa Solomon.
The former UAAP best opposite spiker and Finals MVP shared seven high school and college titles with Belen.
They’ve been through the highs of championship glory for so long and have taken down almost every single opponent who stood in their way.
A Belen-Solomon partnership away from Jhocson one day? Why not.
“Opposite, si ate Alyssa,” her longtime teammate said.
LIBERO: Justine Jazareno (Akari)
Instead of going for two middle blockers, Belen opted to instead choose two liberos for her dream team.
One of which is Akari’s Justine Jazareno, who is now a teammate of hers in Alas.
Jazareno was La Salle’s leading floor general when it spoiled National U’s back-to-back championship bid back in UAAP Season 86, making her the type of player to be a better teammate than rival for Belen.
“Parang mahirap. Pwedeng dalawa? Si ate Justine Jazareno and si [Detdet] Pepito,” Belen said.
LIBERO: Detdet Pepito (UST)
Her other pick shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, as it’s, of course, childhood friend-turned-college rival Detdet Pepito.
They’ve been teammates since first grade at Lucas R. Pascual Elementary School in Quezon City before parting ways towards opposite sides of Manila in España and Jhocson.
Belen and Pepito captained NU and UST in UAAP Season 87 and were the two title protagonists back in the Season 86 finals, won by Belen and the Lady Bulldogs.
That unquestionable bond and chemistry make them fitting teammates, possibly at some point in the future.
“Teammates po kasi kami nung elementary. Before pa lang, sinasabi na UST talaga siya. Kahit may kumuha sa kanya, hindi siya papatibag. UST talaga siya,” Belen said.
MIDDLE BLOCKER: Amie Provido (La Salle)
Now also part of Alas, Belen is hyped for a potential team-up with one of her La Salle rivals in Amie Provido.
It was Provido who copped the UAAP Season 87 best middle blocker award and helped steer the Lady Spikers to the silver medal.
She might not be the tallest defender even at 5-foot-11, but Provido has also proven herself as a feisty attacker just as much as she is a blocking force, making her a formidable two-way option for any dream team to have.
“Si Amie Provido, sa La Salle. Super pretty at mataas po talaga siya tumalon,” said Belen.
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