By MARK REY MONTEJO
LAOAG CITY – Despite the hectic schedule, three-time UAAP MVP and presumptive PVL top pick Bella Belen made sure to take her time going back to her roots – the Palarong Pambansa – the competition that opened her journey to volleyball stardom.
The 22-year-old former National University star was a curious spectator at the sidelines when NCR’s NU-Nazareth School completed its redemption tour, toppling defending champion Western Visayas’ Bacolod Tay Tung, 25-12, 25-14, 25-8, to clinch the secondary girls volleyball title here at PCV Civic Center in Bacarra last Friday, May 30.
Watching the thrilling match, Belen couldn’t help but reminisce about her days in Palaro when she also steered the same team to the gold during the 2019 edition in Davao.
“To all volleyball players, congratulations kasi ‘di biro na makarating sa Palarong Pambansa. Malaking honor siya as an athlete, ako nag-Palaro ako so mataas yung pride ko na nakalaro ako rito,” said Belen who skipped the first day of the PVL Draft Combine just to support NCR in Palaro.
“And ayon continue lang on doing what’s best for them and wag silang huminto dahil maraming coaches ang nanunuod sa kanila and malay natin ma recruit sila sa UAAP,” she added.
Interestingly, the triumphant run by the Big City bets marked their first gold since Belen’s time after NUNS and Far Eastern University bowed to Bacolod Tay Tung during the last two editions of Palaro.
Aside from Belen, former Lady Bulldog Alyssa Solomon along with their current stars Vange Alinsug and Shaira Jardio also cheered from the sidelines.
Premier Volleyball League’s Creamline Cool Smashers stars Alyssa Valdez, Tots Carlos, and Kyle Negrito graced the awarding ceremony.
Belen, widely considered as the best available talent in this years draft, played down talks of her being the 1st overall pick.
“Parang di ka naman po iniisip yun kasi di nga po ako naka attend ng Day 1 ngayon so let’s see po kung sino mang team ang pipili sakin,” she continued.
Capital1 holds the top pick in the PVL draft and is expected to draft Belen with the first overall pick.
“Kung sino man po yun, I will promise to do my best kung san man team ako mapunta,” she concluded.
Belen eventually attended the last day of the PVL Draft Combine to the delight of Cignal1 coaches .
