(L-R) Lady Bulldogs team manager Engr. Engineer Bing Diet, NU chairman Dr. Hans Sy, Mhicaela Belen, NU president Dr. Renato Carlos Ermita, Jr., NU vice chairman Nilo Ocampo, NU athletics director Otie Camangian. National University retired Bella Belen's No. 4 in a ceremony on Thursday, September 4, 2025 at the Mall of Asia Music Hall. UAAP Media
MANILA, Philippines – National University (NU) retired Bella Belen's jersey on Thursday, immortalizing the three-time UAAP seniors Most Valuable Player and her legacy in the school.
In a ceremony held at SM Mall of Asia during the university's pep rally to kickstart its Season 88 campaign, Belen was celebrated, acknowledging her stellar run while donning the Lady Bulldogs jersey.
Belen was overwhelmed with emotions just before the formalities of her jersey retirement.
"Sobrang saya po talaga, I mean kanina, bago ako pumunta dito, iyak ako nang iyak sa condo. Hindi ko ma-explain or maipaliwanag. Basta I'm very happy and thankful sa NU kasi na-recognize nila 'yung hard work ko for the past few years. I'm very happy," Belen shared with select reporters.
The Alas Pilipinas standout also shared how she received the news.
"Parang last week ata or two weeks ago, tumawag sa 'kin 'yung sa Athletics Office– Sir Otie [Camangian], tinawagan ako. Then 'yun nga, sabi nila they're planning to retire my jersey. Ta's ako naman, nasa mall ako para akong baliw. Naiiyak ako, ganiyan-ganiyan and all," the 23-year-old young gun said.
Belen admitted she became unsure whether the school would continue with it.
"Tapos after ng ilang weeks, akala ko 'di na sure. I mean, 'di na itutuloy since malapit na mag-pep rally tapos wala pang update," she added.
"And then ayon, habang nagte-training kami sa national team, tumawag ulit ta's magpapadala ng jersey ta's isa-sign ko ta's itutuloy na 'yung pag-retire ng jersey."
Belen's stint with NU spanned for 11 years, including her time in NU-Nazareth, where she won five championships and two MVP plums.
READ: Bella Belen grateful for first Star Magic All-Star Games appearance
With this, no future NU women's volleyball player can wear Belen's #4 jersey.
She joins Manilla Ng (De La Salle University) and Rachel Anne Daquis (Far Eastern University) as UAAP volleyball players who had their jerseys retired by their respective schools.
Belen, who gave NU senior women's team three UAAP titles and one first runner-up finish, chose to go professional this year, joining the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Rookie Draft last June.
READ: PVL: Bella Belen shows support for Capital1 while waiting for pro debut
READ: PVL: Bella Belen officially signs with Capital1
She was expectedly picked first overall by the Capital1 Solar Spikers.
The 5-foot-7 outside spiker has yet to see action in the PVL as she prioritized Alas Pilipinas duties, helping the national team clinch a second-place finish at the 2025 AVC Women's Nations Cup in Vietnam last June.
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