Camille Naredo

NU's Bella Belen celebrates against La Salle in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball Finals, May 14, 2025 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

The De La Salle University and National University battle in game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 Women's Volleyball finals in Pasay City on May 14, 2025. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

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UAAP Season 87 Women's Volleyball Finals Game 2

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/174725131096820250514-uaap87-womensvolleyball-game2-MQD_4615-MD.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="NU&#x27;s Bella Belen celebrates against La Salle in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 women&#x27;s volleyball Finals, May 14, 2025 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">NU&#x27;s Bella Belen celebrates against La Salle in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 women&#x27;s volleyball Finals, May 14, 2025 at the Mall of Asia Arena. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- Some three hours after she made a final promise to National University, Bella Belen -- as she has done time and again -- delivered. </p><p>Belen had been teary-eyed on Wednesday afternoon as she received the Most Valuable Player trophy ahead of Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 women&#x27;s volleyball Finals against La Salle. It was <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2025/5/13/nu-star-bella-belen-now-3-time-uaap-mvp-shaina-nitura-is-roy-1739">the third time in her senior career</a> that she received the top individual plum -- tying the mark set by Far Eastern University&#x27;s Ailyn Ege and Ateneo legend Alyssa Valdez.</p><p>&quot;Sa NU community! Maraming salamat po kasi nagbibigay kayo ng oras para panoorin kami,&quot; Belen said in a message to their crowd, clad in blue and gold and already anticipating another coronation at the Mall of Asia Arena.</p><p>&quot;Pinapangako ko na hindi kami papayag na maagaw ang korona sa Jhocson,&quot; she added.</p><p>Her statement drew ecstatic cheers from their fans, who had every confidence that Belen would make good on her promise. </p><p>After all, the 22-year-old Belen had fulfilled plenty of promises during her time with National U, which stretched back to her high school years. She helped turn their juniors program into a powerhouse, and when she stepped foot into the collegiate division, she made sure that the Lady Bulldogs, too, would rise to the top.</p><p>As a rookie in Season 84, Belen had taken the UAAP by storm, becoming the <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/21/22/uaap-nus-belen-makes-history-as-rookie-mvp">first freshman to claim MVP honors in the women&#x27;s division</a>. In her speech then, she had said: &quot;Thank you po sa supporters ng NU, and <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://x.com/camillenaredo/status/1539183894087446528">we promise you po na ibabalik po naming ang korona sa Sampaloc</a>.&quot;</p><p>Back then, the Lady Bulldogs had delivered in style. They swept La Salle in the Finals to end a title drought that lasted over six decades, and complete a perfect 16-0 campaign. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/21/22/uaap-nu-completes-historic-season-with-sweep-of-la-salle">FROM 2022: NU completes historic season with sweep of La Salle</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/23/22/with-perfect-season-nu-lives-up-to-own-expectations">FROM 2022: With perfect season, NU Lady Bulldogs live up to own expectations</a></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1747251381450UAAP 87 WVB Finals G2 DLSU vs. NU - Bella Belen-6393.JPG" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Bella Belen of NU in action against La Salle in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 women&#x27;s volleyball Finals, May 14, 2025 at the Mall of Asia Arena. UAAP Media"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Bella Belen of NU in action against La Salle in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 women&#x27;s volleyball Finals, May 14, 2025 at the Mall of Asia Arena. <em>UAAP Media</em></span></span></span></div><p>But a title defense eluded Belen and the Lady Bulldogs. Season 85 signalled the arrival of another super rookie -- La Salle&#x27;s Angel Canino, who fulfilled her own vow to bring another championship to Taft. In the process, she claimed MVP honors and starred as the Lady Spikers dethroned National U in the Finals.</p><p>Belen showed up in Season 86 with a renewed hunger and drive, and when she won a second MVP, she again turned to the National U crowd with a promise. &quot;Pahiram muna po ng tagline ng UST,&quot; she said, before they played the Golden Tigresses, &quot;Ibalik ang korona sa Sampaloc, Manila! Hindi po kami titigil hangga&#x27;t hindi po namin nakukuha &#x27;yung championship this year.&quot;</p><p>What followed was an emotional victory over UST, a team anchored by her good friend, Detdet Pepito. Now a two-time champion and a two-time MVP, Belen could have explored other opportunities -- but the <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/6/25/bella-belen-stays-in-nu-in-pursuit-of-2nd-straight-uaap-title-2218">desire to defend their crown</a> burned bright and fueled her historic campaign in Season 87.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/5/15/national-u-fends-off-ust-for-season-86-women-s-volleyball-crown-1948">FROM 2024: Belen, Solomon take charge as National U clinches UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball title</a></div><p>Already a tremendous all-around player, Belen took another leap in Season 87 where she ranked in the Top 5 of five skills. She led the league in aces (0.57 per set) and attack efficiency (37.76%), and was fourth in scoring with a total of 246 points. She was also fifth in digging (2.79 per set) and third in receiving (44.44%).</p><p>Yet Belen&#x27;s biggest improvement may have been on the leadership end. Tasked to be National U&#x27;s captain, she rose to the occasion and served as the emotional anchor of the team. When the Lady Bulldogs were pushed by their opponents, Belen kept them together even as she upped her level of play inside the court. When they lost -- to the University of the Philippines and Adamson University in the elimination round -- Belen held herself accountable. </p><p>In the Finals against La Salle, with a second straight crown within their grasp, Belen made sure that they would not get too caught up in the moment. They had a bit of a letdown in Game 1, when they dropped the third set, 13-25, after already taking a two-set advantage. But that was as far as the Lady Spikers went: NU took a comfortable 25-17 win in Set 4. </p><p>&quot;Up kami ng two sets and then nakuha ng La Salle &#x27;yung third,&quot; Belen said afterward. &quot;So sinabi ko lang na kailangan namin pagtrabahuhan every point kasi hindi ibibigay sa amin basta-basta yung game, kailangan namin paghirapan.&quot;</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/174725134386820250514-uaap87-womensvolleyball-game2-MQD_5935-MD.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The NU Lady Bulldogs celebrate after winning the UAAP Season 87 women&#x27;s volleyball championship, May 14, 2025 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The NU Lady Bulldogs celebrate after winning the UAAP Season 87 women&#x27;s volleyball championship, May 14, 2025 at the Mall of Asia Arena. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>There would be no such letdowns in Game 2, where they marched to a comprehensive 25-19, 25-18, 25-19 sweep of La Salle. Belen started off slow, with Alyssa Solomon doing most of the heavy lifting on offense in the opening frame. But the MVP got her rhythm in the second set, and when the dust settled, she had put up a quintessential Bella Belen line -- 18 points, 11 digs, and eight receptions.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2025/5/14/nu-sweeps-la-salle-clinches-2nd-straight-womens-volleyball-title-1921">READ: NU sweeps La Salle, clinches 2nd straight women&#x27;s volleyball title</a></div><p>&quot;I&#x27;m very happy po kasi &#x27;yun nga na-achieve namin &#x27;yung goal namin as a team,&quot; said Belen, after fulfilling yet another pregame promise to National U. </p><p>&quot;Marami kaming pinag-daanan and nagkaroon kami ng mga talo ngayong season,&quot; she added. &quot;Maraming times din na parang kinuwestiyon namin &#x27;yung sarili namin, kung tama ba &#x27;yung ginagawa namin, kung nasa right path ba kami.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Nagtiwala lang kami sa sarili namin, sa teammates, sa coaches namin. Tinrabaho lang namin hanggang Finals, hanggang makuha namin ang back-to-back.&quot;</p><p>Belen, who entered National U with considerable hype, now exits with a massive haul of individual trophies and a <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2025/5/14/3-time-champ-bella-belen-reflects-on-uaap-career-as-she-exits-nu-2149">legacy of winning</a>. She has fulfilled every promise and lived up to lofty expectations, and as she soaked in the love and applause from their community, she turned to them not with another vow, but a rare request.</p><p>&quot;Thank you so much po, NU community, sa walang sawang pagsuporta,&quot; said Belen, &quot;And sana po, &#x27;wag po kayong magsawa kahit na iba na po &#x27;yung players, or kahit sino man po &#x27;yung naglalaro for NU, kasi hindi po magsasawa ang NU Lady Bulldogs na ipanalo po lahat ng games para sa inyo.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v9iz7FfJ9BU?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

UAAP: Bella Belen makes good on another pregame promise to NU community

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UAAP: Bella Belen makes good on another pregame promise to NU community

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 15, 2025 03:38 AM PHT

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