BELLA Belen was one phone call away from joining Adamson instead of staying put at National University.
In an exclusive chat with SPIN.ph last March, the graduating Lady Bulldogs revealed how she nearly swapped Jhocson blue for San Marcelino blue.
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“Nung tinanggap ako sa NU noong nag-tryout ako. Kasi kung hindi, for sure, nasa Adamson ako ngayon,” Belen said.
“‘Yung mga teammates ko before, sa Adamson sila napunta (for college) nu’ng high school kami,” Belen said.
Had this been the case, the UAAP could’ve easily witnessed one of its most lethal one-two scoring punches in three-time MVP Belen and newly-crowned Rookie of the Year in Shaina Nitura for at least one season.
“While waiting for the confirmation ng coach ng NU, si coach Babes [Castillo], kung nakuha ako o hindi, yun yung second option ko (na mag-Adamson),” Belen said.
“Thankful ako na nakuha ako (ng NU) kasi midnight na sila nag-text na pasok ako.”
Fresh face and a top ace
At least for the next few months, the what-ifs and could-have-beens for Adamson will come into fruition as Belen and Nitura will soon don the same colors — Alas Pilipinas blue.
The Adamson skipper joined national team training a day before the conclusion of the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament where she was feted with the top rookie honors.
She’d be among the first new spikers to link up with Alas alongside mainstays Eya Laure and Vanie Gandler.
One week after National U’s successful title defense, Belen began training with the nationals for her second stint with Alas debutant and now-two-time UAAP best setter Lams Lamina.
For their parts, NU aces Alyssa Solomon and Vange Alinsug both visited Alas training days prior but have yet to train with the team unlike Belen and Lamina.
Also yet to show up from the UAAP invitees are the likes of La Salle stars Angel Canino, Shevana Laput and Amie Provido.
The growing list of Alas trainees now include captain Jia de Guzman, Dawn Catindig, Mars Alba, Julia Coronel, Maddie Madayag, Thea Gagate, Fifi Sharma, Justine Jazareno, MJ Phillips, Pangs Panaga, Jen Nierva and Fil-American setter Tia Andaya.
Whether Alas blue will be Belen and Nitura’s winning hue will soon be known as the nationals gear up for the 2025 AVC Women's Volleyball Nations Cup — formerly known as the Challenge Cup — from Jun. 7 to 14 where they will defend last year’s historic bronze medal win.
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