INSTINCT INTACT
Bella Belen believes that Capital1 now has the tools to make a deep run in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference, backing that up on Tuesday night by scattering a pro career-high 26 points in leading the Solar Spikers to a 25-17, 25-16, 15-25, 25-19 win over ZUZ Coffee.
She very well might be talking of the backup tools, because everyone knows that she will be the one taking this team to wherever it goes.
The former UAAP MVP and champion with National U scored six points in a telling 12-2 run in the fourth set that turned a 13-17 deficit into what was the final score.
“We already had a chance to close it out, but you could see ZUS was still fighting. If we had given them another chance, they might’ve taken the game from us. So I felt like I had to push myself and do whatever I could and give everything I had,” said Belen in Filipino after finishing with 24 kills and two aces on top of 16 digs and seven excellent receptions.
“That killer instinct, I’ve carried it with me from my NU days all the way to the PVL.”
The three-time UAAP MVP out of National University, who will receive the Philippine Sportswriters Association’s Miss Volleyball in the awards night on Feb. 16, credited her new teammates for their solid debuts for Capital1.
Under the weather
Shaya Adorador was impressive in her first game as a Solar Spiker with 14 points and seven receptions. Ysa Jimenez also shone with 13 points. Pauline Gaston had 10 points, while newcomer libero Rachel Jorvina had 21 digs to make up for the absence of captain Roma Mae Doromal, who was under the weather.
“Volleyball is really a team effort. It can’t be just one or two players carrying the team. I’m very happy with the additions this season. They’ve been a big help to our campaign,” Belen said. “I’m also very thankful to everyone who signed with the team, because it shows their trust in the team and the management.
“We’ll keep working on things little by little at this conference.”
Better than QF
Belen and the new-look Solar Spikers will take it one game at a time, but she believes that this team can surpass their franchise-best quarterfinals appearance in the last Reinforced conference, where they were knocked out by the Thunderbelles.
“The team is more competitive now. Everyone is willing to learn and put in the effort to perform and to win games,” she said.
Expectations are high for Belen, who won three titles in her UAAP career and emerged as the best collegiate player during her time. In the PVL, the rookie is eager to surpass her previous performance and show maturity beyond her years for the young Capital1.
“My role as a player is to really step up and do what’s expected of me. Just because I’m new to the team or a rookie in the PVL doesn’t mean I should play like one,” she said.
“Whatever I’m capable of, I have to give that,” Belen added. “I also see that our team has a lot of potential. When you look at our lineup, the players really complement each other. So as a player, I just have to fulfill my role and contribute.”
Belen and the Solar Spikers face the revamped Nxled Chameleons, led by three-time league MVP Brooke Van Sickle, on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Rodriguez, Rizal.
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