For Bella Belen, her first Premier Volleyball League match was a trial unlike any other.
Facing PLDT, she quickly learned that elite defenses wait for no one.
Every spike met a wall of towering blockers, every attempt at scoring tested by one of the league’s best defenders.
Belen managed just 13 points that night — far from her usual output — but each point was a hard-fought victory against PLDT’s formidable frontline of Majoy Baron, Mika Reyes, and Dell Palomata, with Kath Arado dominating the backcourt.
Where some players might have crumbled, Belen found motivation.
“Naalala ko pa yung last na paghaharap namin sa Reinforced… Grabe… naba-block nila ako,” she recalled.
That match became a turning point. Belen analyzed every detail, learning how to navigate towering blocks and improve her offensive strategy. She also leaned on her teammates, ensuring that even when she was stopped at the net, the team’s support allowed her to stay effective.
“Dapat from that, kung makaka-block man sila sa akin, siguro dalawa, isa, pero hindi ganon karami… Kailangan mas marami pa rin akong napuntos for the team,” Belen explained. “Siyempre, yung coverage nandiyan kahit ma-block ako, meron na ka-support na sa akin. So, ayun, inaral naman namin yung PLDT po, na alam namin na yung advantage talaga nila is yung blocking nila. Kasi, malalaki at mabibilis talaga sila."
Her growth was on full display in Capital1’s recent match against the High Speed Hitters. Belen exploded for a PVL-leading 28 points, including 26 attacks, one kill, and one block, along with 10 excellent digs and 12 top-notch receptions. While the match ended in a loss, Belen’s performance showed just how much she had matured.
“Siyempre, despite the loss, nakita ko naman na lumaban yung team. Kumbaga, mayroong glimpse na kaya, kaya sana ng team. Sadyang, siyempre yung kalaban namin, sobrang veterano na matagalan sila magkasama, ganyan,” she said.
For Belen, volleyball is as much about learning from setbacks as it is about scoring points. She hopes Capital1 can channel lessons from their tough outings into stronger showings, refocus, and climb back into the win column.
“Meron pa kami dapat, sana pinush pa namin yung sarili namin na kung ano pa yung pwede namin gawin sana, para ma-push pa yung game into 5-set. At sana nanalo kami, gano'n,” she added. “So, I'm very happy pa rin naman sa naging performance ng team na kahit gano'n yun, natalo. Nakita ko naman na lumaban ko yung team.”
