Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon will be key pieces for Alas Pilipinas in the upcoming FIVB Volleyball Women's Challenger Cup.
National University standouts Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon will prove to be crucial pieces for Alas Pilipinas in their upcoming 2024 FIVB Volleyball Women's Challenger Cup set on July 4 to 7 in Manila.
Belen and Solomon were initially included in Alas’ training pool for the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup. However, the two decided to beg off from training.
The Season 86 MVP and Finals MVP had just come off their triumphant campaign in the UAAP Season 86 after reclaiming the title for the Lady Bulldogs.
But after celebrating their title victory and getting some well-deserved rest, Belen and Solomon are back with Alas Pilipinas as they prepare for the FIVB tournament.
[ALSO READ: Jia de Guzman grateful for addition of Jema Galanza, Bella Belen, and Alyssa Solomon to Alas Pilipinas]
The two, however, are on different paths in their preparations with the national team.
Belen has been ramping up her training with the rest of the team. Solomon, on the other hand, is still recovering from an injury.
“Recently naman is nagte-training kami sabay-sabay. So nung una parang siyempre kakabalik pa lang. So slowly getting there, pero ngayon nag-uumpisa na mag-jell 'yung team,” said Belen.
“Actually, hindi pa ako nakapag-join since wala pang follow-up checkup. Kailangan ko pang bumalik sa kanila [doctors],” Solomon explained.
The two though are no strangers in the Philippine women's national volleyball team.
Belen proved to be a spark for the squad during the 2023 SEA VLeague.
Meanwhile, Solomon was hailed Best Opposite Spiker during the second leg of the same tournament.
Should Solomon get clearance, the 6-foot-1 opposite hitter will be valuable for coach Jorge Souza de Brito.
The Brazilian tactician will also have a much tougher time selecting the final 14-woman tricolor squad to face Vietnam in the tournament.