FROM her humble beginnings as an aspiring volleybell player at Lucas R. Pascual Memorial Elementary School in Quezon City to her meteoric rise at National University, Bella Belen looked destined for greatness.
But even with a decorated sporting resume at age 21, Belen never loses sight of the people that made her the hard-hitting yet grounded star she has become: her family.
READ: Bella Belen says failed title defense fuels NU revenge tour
Consistency has been Belen’s strong suit in UAAP Season 86 — one that ultimately led her to a second MVP nod in three seasons with the Lady Bulldogs. Such a feat made her just the fifth multiple-time MVP winner in women’s volleyball after the likes of sporting icons Alyssa Valdez and Aby Maraño among others.
Such on-court consistency has been fueled by an equally consistent support system from her extended family when it comes to watching her games live.
Belen shared to SPIN.ph how she’d make it a point to secure as many tickets as she can for a handful of her relatives to get the best seats possible for the Lady Bulldogs’ matches.
One thing the NU ace spiker takes pride the most in her years as a student-athlete is how volleyball paved the way for the Belen clan to be closer by spending more time together, albeit under the bright lights amid the sea of supporters cheering Bella on.
“‘Yung volleyball kasi, malaki talaga ‘yung naitulong niya sa’kin and sa family ko. ‘Yung family ko, lagi silang nanonood eh. Minsan nga ‘pag sa tickets, nagkakaubusan kasi ang dami kong ni-rerequest talaga kasi parang isang batalyon talaga kami,” said Belen.
“Feeling ko ‘yung volleyball, isa rin siyang nag-help para maging mas close pa kaming family namin.”
Volleyball has long ran in the Belen bloodline, with one of Bella’s uncles a former NCAA player for San Sebastian under a former NU head coach in Roger Gorayeb back in the day.
But as her own career continues to reach new heights, Bella puts a premium on taking her younger sister Ghenievib, whom she calls ‘Bubay,’ under her wing.
Like Bella, Bubay is part of National University-Nazareth School’s juniors’ program as a libero. The school was once home to the likes of stars Alyssa Solomon, Thea Gagate and Faith Nisperos, among many others.
Carrying her own experience as a former libero and the wisdom from playing in the big stages, Bella has constantly backed Bubay throughout her budding volleyball career and all the highs and lows that come along at an early stage of her pursuit of stardom.
“Meron din akong pwedeng maitulong sa kanya kasi nag-libero din ako before. Minsan ‘pag may game siya, sinasabihan ko siya ng mga dapat niyang gawin. Itong recent lang, natalo sila (sa UST sa PNVF U18 Championships),” Belen said.
“Ni-remind ko lang siya na ‘okay lang, first tournament mo ‘to ng high school.’ Talagang ganun lang, lessons lang. Nag-tthank you siya sa’kin kasi nga naka-support lang ako sa kanya,” she added.
Bella bridging volleyball, and herself, to the people
Belen has long been known for her fierce persona on the court topped by her quirky and bubbly personality off of it.
In fact, Belen has her own broadcast channel and photo dump on Instagram where she gives fans regular life updates ranging from the most mundane everyday topics to her volleyball career and everything in between.
Even at the height of her college career, one thing she wouldn’t stop is showing her authentic self to the fans, in the hope that this could give them a closer look at the sport and encourage them to blaze their own trail.
“Ako po kasi, kung ano ‘yung nakikita mo sa’kin, ‘yun na ‘yon. Ito na ako. Gusto ko lang lagi na nararamdaman ng fans na naa-appreciate namin sila kahit hindi namin sila masyadong nalalapitan o nakakapagpa-picture, talagang ginagawa namin ‘yung way namin para maparating sa kanila na naa-appreciate namin sila,” said Belen.
As tens and thousands of spectators pack arenas to watch volleyball matches, may it be in the collegiate or pro ranks, Belen is overjoyed by how far the sport has grown and how she has become an inspiration for young, aspiring volleyball players.
“I’m happy po kasi may mga na-iinspire kaming mga tao. ‘Yun naman talaga (‘yung dahilan) kung bakit kami naglalaro ng volleyball: to inspire other people na maglaro din ng volleyball. I’m very happy na lumalaki na ‘yung community at mas lumalaki pa ‘yung community ng volleyball,” Belen said.
From growing with her family in the sport to helping grow the sport, it goes without saying that Belen has come a long way in Philippine volleyball.
And the best part is still to come.
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