BY John Miles Arcenal
NUMBER 4 is the first jersey to hang in the National University rafters.
The Bulldogs will write their own history on Thursday during their pep rally at the Mall of Asia Music Hall, as they retire Mhicaela 'Bella' Belen’s jersey, the first student-athlete to receive the honor in the school’s history.
The generational talent made the No. 4 in blue and gold famous and later on, legendary, across her seven championships and four MVP awards in the juniors and seniors divisions.
“It is a testament that grassroots programs in the UAAP really matter. She does not perform only on the court, but also off the court. She is a true embodiment of what a true Nationalian should be,” said National U athletics director Otie Camangian.
“She is well-rounded in terms of athletics, academics, and behavior. She is very rare,” he added.
This ceremony will also carry emotional weight, as it will symbolize the full-circle journey of arguably the most decorated player to have ever competed in the UAAP.
Belen, the first overall pick of the 2025 PVL Draft, started as a walk-on before leading NU to multiple titles from high school to college, including the Lady Bulldogs' first crown in 65 years in Season 84.
And while her brilliant smile made it seem otherwise, all of it wasn't a walk in the part.
“Napakasipag, noong naging part siya ng varsity team namin, ang hirap ng training namin eh. Umiiyak siya, tumutulo ang luha. Pero hindi siya umalis, never siyang nag-quit, napakatibay niyang bata,” said Babes Castillo, Belen's former coach in high school.
“Salamat sa mga pinagdaanan natin. Salamat at hindi ka bumigay. Salamat, naniwala ka,” he added.
Her love for volleyball became the foundation for her growth as a leader, helping National U reach the upper echelon of teams in the fastest growing sport in the Philippines.
From Season 78, Belen steered the Lady Bullpups to five finals appearances with four championships, while also earning MVP honors in Seasons 80 and 82.
When she decided to continue her career in Jhocson, she made an immediate impact by becoming the first-ever women’s volleyball rookie-MVP and leading the Lady Bulldogs to a perfect 16-0 run, before adding two more MVP awards in Seasons 86 and 87 where she also spearheaded her side to back-to-back championships.
Bella's big blue-and-gold mark
Karl Dimaculangan, another former mentor, could not help but be proud of Belen’s accolades.
As he put it, “As someone na naging coach mo, what I’m really proud of is yung passion at perseverance mo kasi nakita ko yung sacrifices mo, yung leadership mo. And yung mga kakulitan mo at yung sipag mo na hindi ka titigil hangga’t ‘di mo nakukuha yung gusto mo.”
One more NU shot-caller in Norman Miguel detailed the legacy Belen left in her alma mater.
“I’m sure hindi makakalimutan yung legacy na iniwan mo diyan sa NU women’s volleyball team at alam mo namang maraming nag i-idololize sayo at pamamarisan lahat ng magandang napakita mo para sa school and sa buong volleyball community,” he uttered.
Indeed, Belen is not only the first National U athlete to have her jersey retired, she also set the standards that mark the start of a winning tradition for generations to come.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
