Capital1 prized rookie Bella Belen. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA — Three-time UAAP seniors MVP Bella Belen went on a trip down memory lane as she went back to her "home court" — the Mall of Asia Arena.
Belen, now 23, spent a significant chunk of her life donning a Lady Bulldog jersey and playing at the Pasay City venue. From her NU-Nazareth days to the college level, she had a UAAP career to remember.
A UAAP champion during Seasons 84, 86, and 87, the former rookie-MVP relished what was once a starry campaign, capped by a title just this May before turning professional and joining the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Rookie Draft.
Now wearing a Capital1 jersey, Belen turned nostalgic as she and the rest of the Solar Spikers swept a more established Choco Mucho side in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference, 25-23, 26-24, 25-19, on Tuesday at the Pasay venue.
READ: PVL: Capital1 edges out Choco Mucho, finishes third in Pool A
“Kahapon [Monday] pa lang, niloloko na ako nila coach na home court ko daw,” Belen said. “And then kahit kanina, sabi ni coach, ‘This is home court.’ Kung naalala ko daw ba 'yung—like, confetti kasi 'yun nga 'yung last game ko.”
Belen said that they used on Tuesday the same dugout she last utilized as an NU player — when she won the 87 Season title.
READ: Farm Fresh coach Lodi full of praise for 'one of a kind' Bella Belen
“So siyempre, very nostalgic siya for me, kasi 'yun nga 'yung last game ko. Doon pa ako naka-dugout, sa NU na Bulldog dugout,” said Belen.
She might be a professional player now, but her love for the sport remains the same since her younger days.
"Same pa rin 'yung fire, like 'yung pagka-love sa volleyball. And I'm very happy talaga kasi pagkabalikod sa MOA panalo kami and straight sets pa rin."
Belen and company clinched Top 3 in Pool A and will be playing the lower-ranked teams in the next round. Their first task is Chery Tiggo, scheduled on Tuesday, November 11.
RELATED VIDEO: