By MARK REY MONTEJO
From her humble beginnings – she was lean frame but full of promise when she launched her career in the Palarong Pambansa – to becoming UAAP women’s volleyball sensation, Bella Belen has shown time and again that she belongs to a rare breed of athletes.
Many acknowledged the 23-year-old Belen as one of the greatest to ever set foot in the collegiate ranks.
And to further cement her legacy before bringing her act to the pro level with Capital1, her NU jersey No. 4 was officially retired in an emotional ceremony that moved her to tears – her avid followers and young teammates before also shed tears of joy for her remarkable journey.
Small wonder, NU Pep Rally held at MOA Music Hall in Pasay City Thursday, Sept. 4, turned to be Belen’s day.
This marked the first time a student-athlete received an exceptional recognition from NU since it joined the premier collegiate league in 1938.
Belen also etched her name as the third hitter to achieve such a feat from their school next to former collegiate stars in Rachel Anne Daquis (Far Eastern University) and Manilla Santos-Ng (De La Salle University).
Before hanging her jersey, the 5-foot-7 outside hitter helped the Jhocson-based school win its first-ever back-to-back titles in league history.
She also spearheaded NU’s historic first title in 65 years after beating La Salle in two games.
And more impressively, in the same year, Belen won the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player plums, the first player to ever achieve it in women’s division.
