BELLA Belen already earned her stripes with National U from high school to college as one of the sport’s brightest young stars.
On Friday, two days before what could be her last two or three UAAP matches, the reigning women’s volleyball MVP was bestowed her greatest badge of honor yet — her undergraduate degree.
Pscyhology major Belen, along with NU seniors Erin Pangilinan and Sheena Toring, took part in the school’s 119th Commencement Exercises.
Unfortunately, the graduating Lady Bulldogs trio was unable to celebrate such an important life milestone, as afterward, they had to go right back to training in preparation for the Season 87 women’s volleyball finals.
Mixed emotions clouded Belen after a whirlwind week in her life as a Nationalian.
From hearing ‘good luck’ more than ‘congratulations’ to being at the gym rather than having a graduation meal, there was only one word to describe how the blue-and-gold captain has felt as of late: tired.
“Emotion ba ang pagod? Basta nakakapagod po siya kasi siyempre, may commitment ka du’n sa graduation tapos may training pa po kami after ng graduation namin,” Belen said.
Blue-and-gold standard
As it has been in their decorated sporting careers, there are difficult yet necessary sacrifices - which, hopefully, they’d soon reap the rewards of.
“Sinabi lang namin, kaming mag-teammates, ‘yung pagod namin, may kapalit. Kailangan na namin ibuhos lahat kasi nasa huling stretch na kami ng season,” the National U skipper said.
“‘Yung pagod namin, nandiyan lang siya kasi lahat naman pagod eh. I’m just very happy kasi nakikita ko sa teammates ko na kahit halos mamatay na kami sa init sa gym, mamatay na kami sa training naaano pa rin, ‘yung passion and hardwork namin, hindi nawawala.”
The first tranche of those rewards came in Game 1 of the title series, as Belen and Co. took care of business against Angel Canino and La Salle in four sets.
READ: Belen outduels Canino as NU outguns La Salle in Game 1
And belying the hectic schedule she had just gone through, the always-amiable ace did it all for the Lady Bulldogs with a triple-double of 19 points, 15 digs, and 10 receptions.
Three days from now, Belen may very well be adding another MVP award under her belt - as well as a third title in the last four seasons.
If so, this will, without a doubt, be a week she will never ever forget.
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