FOR the first time in her decorated volleyball journey, Bella Belen is walking away from a tournament without a podium finish.
From grade school tournaments where bronze already felt like rock bottom, to a high school and college run at National U defined by nothing but gold and silver, Belen has never known what it’s like to bow out early.
“All throughout NU, gold and silver lang. Siguro elementary pa, Milo tournament, bronze,” Belen barely remembered.
Winning wasn’t just a standard - it was the norm.
That’s why Capital1’s quarterfinal exit at the hands of Zus Coffee in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference felt unfamiliar, and humbling for the 23-year-old rookie.
READ: ZUS makes PVL semis for the first time by sweeping Capital1
“Siyempre, sad kasi we felt short,” she said after finishing just nine points, and 19 excellent receptions.
“We could have done better para sana makapasok ng semis.”
But if this was new territory for Belen, it was also a necessary one that will serve as a reminder that the pro landscape is an entirely different world.
Admitting that it was a pretty rough transition given the higher level of competition, Belen knows that they're gonna have to step it up come the next conference.
“Iba na yung laruan dito sa PVL. Mataas yung level ng competition," he said.
“Every team is adjusting really well. So dapat ganoon din kami as Capital One,” she added.
Her debut conference felt like a rollercoaster ride built with stellar wins and mixed with disappointing ones.
But even then, the 5-foot-7 outside spiker saw enough to believe that the Solar Spikers are on the right direction.
“Malaki po nang nag-improve namin as a team. We worked hard para makapasok ng quarters. Malaking boost yung confidence namin na kaya naming lumaban,” she added.
Meanwhile, the reigning UAAP MVP recognized that being a young franchise means accepting the grind while refusing to use youth as an excuse.
“Hindi namin pwedeng gawing excuse na young team kami kaya natatalo. Kailangan mas eager kaming manalo, mas eager kaming matuto.”
The shift from a perennial champion to a rookie learning patience became one of the biggest takeaways in her first pro stint.
Despite the ups and downs, Belen called her first PVL run a big learning experience, one she believes will sharpen her for the conferences to come.
Even in the face of an early exit, the 2025 first overall pick won’t possible bow out empty handed as she remains the heavy frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year award.
And if this is what she looks like in her first taste of defeat, with her discipline and hungriness to win, then Capital1’s future, and hers, still looks very much golden.
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