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Bella Belen during her jersey retirement on Thursday at the SM Mall of Asia. Photo by UAAP Season 88 Media Team
MANILA — Unfazed by the spotlight of being the top pick of the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Rookie Draft, Bella Belen said that she's not feeling any pressure ahead of her debut.
Instead, she's just excited to showcase her talents alongside her peers.
The ex-National University superstar confirmed that she's finally seeing action in the upcoming PVL Reinforced Conference in October—and she could not wait for it.
"Mas more on excitement 'yung nafi-feel ko kaysa kinakabahan. Kasi 'yun nga, first ko sa PVL, so ako parang kailangan ko lang gawin kung ano 'yung ginagawa ko sa UAAP. Pero siyempre, alam naman natin na magkaiba 'yung competition sa UAAP and sa PVL. So ako, kailangan ko lang mag-show up, Belen told reporters during her jersey retirement ceremony on Thursday at the SM Mall of Asia.
READ: 'Sila ang naghulma sa 'kin': Bella Belen expresses gratitude to NU for jersey retirement
Belen's No. 4 jersey is going up to the rafters of their school gym as her number was formally retired during NU's Pep Rally for Season 88.
The Capital1 Solar Spikers' prized acquisition said that she's happy that her batchmates during the draft are performing well for their respective squads.
"I'm very excited na to play sa PVL kasi parang ako na lang ata ang 'di pa nakakapaglaro na na-draft, kung 'di ako nagkakamali," she added.
READ: UAAP: National University retires Bella Belen's #4 jersey
"So sa tuwing pinapanood ko 'yung mga kasabay kong nagpa-draft sa PVL, I'm very happy kasi talagang nage-excel sila sa kani-kaniyang team."
Belen expressed confidence in Regine Diego, who was previously her coach in high school and is now the head tactician of the Lady Bulldogs.
"Si Coach Reg [Diego] kasi naging coach ko siya nung high school lang ako," the Alas Pilipinas star spiker said. "Ang mae-expect ko na lang, siyempre, lalaban pa rin si NU. Hindi porket nagpalit ng coach, mawawala na 'yung winning mentality, ganiyan."
"So I believe kayang-kaya nila 'yan [Lams Lamina etc]. I'm excited din kung ano pang pwedeng i-grow ni NU team under ni coach Reg," she concluded.
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