NOTHING is cast in stone on what comes next for National University’s MVP duo Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon after leading the Lady Bulldogs to a second UAAP women’s volleyball crown in three seasons.
Shortly before their Season 86 title romp with NU, Belen and Solomon were both called up to the Alas Pilipinas women’s national team pool for the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup in Manila from May 22 to May 29, with less than a week before hostilities begin.
READ: Rondina, Canino, Gandler lead PH team to AVC Challenge Cup
With minimal time for rest and preparation before the tournament, neither of the two Lady Bulldogs have committed to national duty.
Here’s why.
“Yung national team, parang pinag-iisipan pa po namin na mag-join kasi parang dire-diretso (‘yung schedule) eh. Naghahanap din ‘yung katawan namin ng rest so hindi pa kami sure kung mag-jojoin kami,” newly-minted UAAP Finals MVP Solomon said.
“Pag-uusapan pa rin namin (kung tutuloy po ako sa national team),” she added.
“‘Di ko pa po alam, kasi alam ko si Ate Aly may checkup for yung injury niya before. Then siguro titignan namin, magre-report muna sa school, then siguro enjoy muna namin ‘yung championship saglit,” said two-time UAAP MVP Belen.
Thirteen of 16 national pool members have began training under departing head coach Jorge Souza de Brito, with University of the East ace Casiey Dongallo set to follow suit after attending to her academic responsibilities.
Albeit still uncertain, Belen is thrilled by the prospect of teaming up with the nationals’ eclectic core of veteran stars and her collegiate star rivals.
“Nung nakita ko po ‘yung pool, andun sila Ate Sisi (Rondina), sila Ate Jia (de Guzman), sila Ate Eya (Laure), ‘yung mga veterans na hindi ko pa po nakaka-teammate. Sobrang nakaka-excite kasi marami talagang pwedeng matutunan sa kanila kasi marami na po silang experiences, locally and internationally.
Belen added: “Nakaka-excite din po kasi magkalaban kami (nila Angel Canino at Casiey Dongallo) sa UAAP, so it's time naman na maging magkakampi kami. Magkakaiba kami ng pinanggalingan na school, pero once na pagsamahin kami, I think magki-click naman agad kasi matagal na kaming magkakilala. Nandun na ‘yung bonding at nandun na ‘yung friendship.”
Belen, Solomon 'unsure' of NU return
Down to what could be their final playing year come Season 87 next year and the forthcoming Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Draft in July, Belen and Solomon were both tight-lipped on what the future holds.
“Wala pa ako sa ganyang (stage ng pagpaplano ng future ko) kasi ang focus ko lang talaga muna ngayon is UAAP. Nandu’n palang talaga,” said Solomon.
“Close pa lang ‘yung mind ko sa UAAP. Wala pa po sa PVL,” she added.
Belen did entertain the prospect of another season with the Lady Bulldogs, but left nothing set in stone.
“Pwede po, gusto ko rin naman po. Gusto rin naman kasi sino ba naman pong hindi gugustuhing makasama yung talagang palaban na team, talagang hard work ng NU. Kaya sobrang saya ko na sila yung nakasama ko throughout my career,” Belen said.
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