Bella Belen is among the most decorated UAAP volleyball players of all-time, and the NU star holds the distinction as the first ever Rookie-MVP. Despite this, the push for greatness does not stop.
In sports, it’s easier to have motivation when you have something to aspire to, to aim for – a championship, an award, or maybe even history.
But when you’ve been there and done that like two-time UAAP champion Bella Belen, it could be quite difficult to find something to work for, at least at the offset, considering that you’re objectively the best player in the league.
For Belen, who made history as the UAAP’s first-ever Rookie-MVP in women’s volleyball, it’s not about being satisfied with what she already has.
Rather, she’s continuing to reach for the stars.
For this UAAP version of Off the Record, Belen shares her motivations on why she is raring to get even better.
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One Sports: A lot has happened for you during the offseason since NU reclaimed the championship and you won another MVP, including being selected for the national team. How are you feeling with the new UAAP season coming?
Bella Belen: Ngayon po, based sa training namin, yung preparation namin, paunti-unti naming pinupulido yung sistema namin. Kasi gusto namin pagdating sa UAAP, pulido and malinis na. So pag training, talagang bakbakan, patayan, makikita namin si Lord pag training. Kasi para nga pag game, hindi na kami ganon kahirap.
OS: One of the biggest changes for the Lady Bulldogs this time is having a new head coach in decorated PVL tactician Sherwin Meneses. How has it been under his care?
Bella: Si Coach Sherwin, he’s a very chill coach talaga pero pag nakita niyang may dapat palitan, or dapat sawayin, or dapat i-correct, talagang binibigay niya yung oras niya. Nilalaan niya. Sobrang sipag niyang coach kasi imagine, morning training siya sa Creamline after derecho pa siya sa training namin. Nakikita ko yung passion and kung gaano siya ka-dedicated turuan yung mga players kasi, nabanggit niya last time na pag gustong mag-extra [training], pwede naman siyang sabihan. Kasi pupunta siya, tutulungan niya.
Marami kaming natututunan kay Coach Sherwin. Siguro na rin matagal na siyang nagc-coach. So yun po. Very thankful na despite of everything, like training, marami silang schedule sa Creamline, may oras parin siya para sa amin.
(Bella Belen's UAAP career is already as historic as it could get, but the NU Lady Bulldog embodies true superstar qualities as she continues to strive for greatness)
OS: On your personal growth, how do you keep challenging yourself even if you’re one of the best in the league?
Bella: Not to sound mayabang or anything, pero kasi I believe sa sarili ko, hindi pa ako ganon. Hindi siya yung top. For me, hindi ako yung pinaka-magaling. Di porke’t nag-MVP ako last time, ako yung pinakamagaling sa liga na yun.
Parang siguro nagkataon lang talaga na ako yung nabigyan. Kumbaga, nasuklian lang. Parang ganon. Pero, yun nakikita ko kasi yung ibang players na nagw-work hard talaga na mas gumagaling, mas lumalakas and sabi ko dapat hindi ako mapag-iwanan. Hindi porke’t na-achieve ko na yung ganitong bagay eh hihinto na ako sa kung anong kaya ko. So parang, kailangan matuto parin ako, may gawin parin akong bago every season.