Bella Belen and Angel Canino relished their first team-up for Alas Pilipinas in the 2024 FIVB Women's Volleyball Challenger Cup.
A long time coming but the moment has finally arrived.
The much-awaited team-up of UAAP Rookie-MVPs Bella Belen and Angel Canino has come to fruition for Alas Pilipinas in the 2024 FIVB Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup.
Belen and Canino displayed their immense talent for Alas, despite a tough defeat to Vietnam in straight sets, which ended their hopes of securing a spot in the 2025 Volleyball Nations League.
Nevertheless, Philippine collegiate volleyball’s biggest stars were happy to share the court as teammates, a tandem that should have everyone excited for their potential now and in the future.
The duo first joined forces at the 2019 ASEAN School Games, where they secured a silver medal.
But now in the senior team, Belen, a recent addition to Alas, is excited about more opportunities to team up with Canino in upcoming tournaments.
“Very happy kasi nakasama ko si Angel sa national team. Siyempre, kalaban ko siya ng UAAP, ngayon magka-teammate na kami,” Belen told reporters after the match.
“I think magiging maganda yung connection namin pag nag-training pa nang matagal. I think kaya namin i-bring out yung best sa aming dalawa,” she added.
The National University star finished with just two points in the match, but with more preparation next time around, the reigning UAAP MVP knows that Alas can match up with the world no. 33. Vietnam, a long-time nemesis for the Philippines in regional play.
“I think ginawa naman namin ‘yung best namin and siguro kasi ‘yung Vietnam, matagal na silang nagte-training. Kami kasi, lalo na ako, galing pa akong vacation,” said Belen.
“I think kaya namang lumaban, kailangan lang ng mas mahabang preparation,” she explained.
Likewise, Canino was excited about the continued teamwork she would have with Belen, a welcome added dynamic to their budding rivalry in the UAAP.
“Actually, natutuwa kasi sabi ko nga sa kanila na na mas pipiliin ko pang maging teammate si Bella kaysa kalaban so sa tagal ko din pong gustong maka-teammate ulit si ate Bella, I’m very happy na naging teammate ko siya right now,” said Canino, who finished with 12 points against Vietnam.
[ALSO READ: Rivals to teammates: Angel Canino raring to team up with Bella Belen in Alas Pilipinas for AVC Challenge Cup]
It won’t take long before Belen and Canino suit up anew for the Philippines, as the national team will also fly to Japan for a two-week training camp from July 14 to 25.
Alas will also begin its preparations for the Southeast Asian V.League, which will be split into two legs, both in August.