BELLA Belen and Vanie Gandler won't exactly be starting from scratch at Capital1.
As it turns out, the two MVP-caliber stars have already built a friendship long before becoming future teammates with the Solar Spikers.
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Their connection first took shape during Alas Pilipinas duties last year, where two players from entirely different backgrounds unexpectedly found common ground.
For Belen, it was a friendship she never really saw coming.
“‘Yung closeness namin ni Ate Vanie is very unexpected for me since hindi naman kami nag-abot. I mean, nag-abot kami [ilang] season lang sa college. Magkaiba kami na magkaiba. Magkaiba kami ng personalities,” Belen shared.
At the time, they were simply two outside hitters trying to help the national team.
One came and left a legend at National University and was only beginning her rise in the senior ranks. The other had already established herself as a premier scorer in the making after finding her way through in Ateneo.
Yet somewhere between practices, tournaments and long overseas trips, the pair developed a bond much fonder that went beyond the court.
The two even became roommates during some of Alas Women’s international stints, creating a partnership that would unexpectedly become stronger over time.
And somewhere along the way, Belen started doing some recruiting of her own.
Long before Cignal’s leave of absence, the Capital1 cornerstone admitted she would jokingly tell Gandler to keep the Solar Spikers in mind should the opportunity ever arise.
“Minsan nga, before pa, niloloko ko na siya na bigyan niya ng chance si Capital1 if ever na maisipan niyang lumipat ng team,” Belen said.
At the time, it sounded more like harmless teasing than anything serious. Now, it sounds a lot more like early groundwork.
Earlier this month, Belen, Gandler and the latter's fellow Cignal ace-slash-PVL MVP in Erika Santos briefly shared the same side in the All-Star Game for Team Heart.
Soon enough, that partnership becomes permanent.
“I'm very happy na nagkaroon ako ng bagong friends, na dumating si Ate Vanie. Everytime, kapag outside volleyball, nagchi-chikahan kami and all,” Belen said.
“Ayun, nagbunga naman lahat siguro ng pangungulit ko kay Ate Vanie and I'm very thankful kasi binigyan niya kami ng chance.”
For Capital1, Gandler arrives as another proven superstar, but for Belen, she also arrives as someone who already feels familiar.
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