With her floor defense on the rise, NU star Bella Bella issues lighthearted challenge to longtime friend in UAAP Season 85 best libero and current UST captain, Bernadett Pepito.
We all know Bella Belen as an attacker.
But the former ROY-MVP has been proving that she is an all-around player, as the NU Lady Bulldogs ace can now also hold it down on defense.
In their four-set win against the FEU Lady Tamaraws, Bella tallied a total of 19 excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions. She followed by 10 excellent digs in their fifth-straight victory against the UE Lady Warriors over the weekend.
With her floor defense on the rise, Bella jokingly challenged her longtime friend in UAAP Season 85 best libero and current UST captain, Bernadett Pepito.
“Kasi po sa training pa lang, ang naka-mindset kasi talaga sa akin dapat ‘yong depensa talaga namin is maganda. For me, para mapaganda ‘yon, [kailangan] is (mapakita) ko sa team ko na kaya naman namin. Na kaya naman ng bawa't isa sa amin na dumepensa nang maganda, na maging consistent. Ayun po. Laban po kami ni Detdet [Pepito]. Charot! ”, Bella jokingly said in one of NU's post-game press conferences.
“‘Di ka papatalo!” NU Lady Bulldogs coach Norman Miguel chimed in.
To which Bella again quipped, “‘Di po ako papatalo kay Detdet!"
Belen and Pepito have been good friends ever since their “nene days” representing the National Capital Region (NCR) during the Palarong Pambansa.
They have been proving their worth as volleyball players, as they have been the go-to gals for both the NU Lady Bulldogs and the UST Golden Spikers, respectively.
Their teams are both having a successful run in round 1 of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament, with the NU Lady Bulldogs' fifth-straight win matching that of UST for the longest active mark.
While what Bella said in an interview is all fun and games, we cannot wait to witness the intense showdown and healthy competition between these besties, particularly in their looming round 2 rematch.
Check out the full interview here: