AS a psychology student, Bella Belen took 'mind games' to a different level as she had to overcome lingering back pain in National University's first victory over La Salle since their 16-game sweep of UAAP Season 84.
In the Lady Bulldogs' last match prior to La Salle, Belen had her lowest scoring output in a single UAAP game with two points in the win over Ateneo. While refusing to use such a physical struggle as an excuse for her scoring woes, Belen did admit that her post-menstrual back pain doused her typical red-hot form on offense.
READ: NU cuts La Salle down to size for fifth straight UAAP win
The pain still persisted days later and in the match proper versus the defending champions, but Belen shared the personal mantra that enabled her to fight through the pain in style: mind over matter.
"Before po kasi sa training, meron pa rin (sakit sa likod ko), pero as a psychology student, it’s all in the mind. Kaya pag tinatanong ako kanina ng coaches ko kung masakit ba 'yung likod ko, iniisip ko, sabi ko lagi na hindi. Feeling ko, the more na iisipin ko na masakit 'yung likod, the more siya na magiging hindrance sa paglalaro ko," said Belen.
"So as a psychology student, it’s all in the mind."
Adrenaline rush too fast for Belen
From a scientific standpoint, the endorphin release embedded in an 'adrenaline rush' masks the sensations of bodily pain experienced by a person which subsequently leads to a sharper mental focus.
While Belen was able to control her back pain as reflected by 14 attack points versus La Salle, the former UAAP MVP couldn't contain the feeling of pride in seeing the Lady Bulldogs cut the Taft towers down to size.
"Siguro dahil na rin sa adrenaline and na-feel ko 'yung support ng bawat isa sa'min (kaya naitawid ko 'yung laro). Kung may masakit man o wala, talagang binigay 'yung best. 'Di lang naman ako 'yung may nararamdaman sa katawan," Belen said.
"'Yung iba meron ding masakit pero talagang nakita kong nag-perform nang maayos kanina na talagang 100 percent 'yung katawan namin, parang ganun 'yung nangyari kanina."
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