Two-time UAAP MVP Bella Belen isn’t just a scoring machine, she also contributes tremendously on the defensive end for the still-perfect NU Lady Bulldogs in Season 87.
The NU Lady Bulldogs lean on two-time MVP Bella Belen on a regular basis, but it’s not just for her scoring.
That is, Belen has built an identity as an all-around player from the get-go, having a triple-double in her career as early as her first year back in UAAP Season 84, when she became the league’s first-ever Rookie-MVP.
Even now as she is smack in the middle of her final year for the Jhocson-based squad, Belen continues to make her mark on the defensive end — racking up receptions and digs like nobody’s business.
After another all-around game of 18 points, eight excellent digs, and six excellent receptions in a three-set drubbing of UE on Saturday, Belen spoke about her concerted effort to contribute outside of scoring.
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“Personally po ako, opo talaga [tinatrabaho ko]. Siguro kasi sabi ko yun nga hindi lang dapat sa scoring ako nakakatulong kasi siyempre kailangan din ng support sa ilalim, sa defense side ng team kasi bago naman mag-score kailangan may defense muna,” Belen told One Sports at the sidelines of Mall of Asia Arena.
“Yun yung lagi ko lang sinasabi sa sarili ko na hindi naman every game parang nakakapalo ako maganda, nakaka-score ako so parang dapat yung defense side kailangan yung contribution ko nandun pa rin and para at the same time hindi rin nahihirapan yung team ko,” she added.
Belen further underscored that her position, being an open hitter, comes with added responsibility outside of spiking.
Having been used to her role, Belen also said that she is passing on the knowledge to her teammates.
“Ako naman kasi, roommates ko kasi yung mga open hitters namin, si Celine [Marsh] at si Ara [Panique] so lagi ko lang sinasabi sa kanila as an outside hitter kailangan marunong kaming dumipensa, marunong kaming pumasa marunong kaming mag-block, dapat lahat, hindi man dapat lahat perfect, kumbaga dapat kaya naming mag-contribute,” said Belen.
“Hindi lang spiking ang trabaho ng outside hitter, kailangan mo yun nga marunong din sa lahat ng departments and minsan parang nag-a-ask sila sa akin kung paano ko daw like na-achieve yung ganyan na may contribution sa ibang departments sabi ko hindi naman kasi siya naging madali."
"It takes time talaga and kailangan hindi nagsasawa until now ako naman, hindi ko naman siya pulido pa eh, mayroon pa rin akong lapses and mga errors sa ibang departments so patuloy ko pa rin siyang nililinis and pinupulido,” she added.
Already in her last playing year for NU with plans to go professional, Belen said that she continues to work on her game, along with the rest of the team, in the hopes of leaving the Lady Bulldogs with one more title.
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“Hindi lang naman po ako [yung nagt-trabaho], kumbaga buong team naman kasi parang every training may naka, ano kaming specific drill like for Monday meron kami like blockings and service receive, and Tuesday defense naman and transition,” Belen noted of their work on non-game days.
“Kumbaga nakikita talaga and sa training namin sa ano pa lang, sa training pa lang na kung ano yung mga departments yung mga kailangan naming trabahuhin and minsan nga eh pag kunyari sa game medyo off kami sa block ganyan so sa training dun kami mag focus ganyan,” she added.
The Lady Bulldogs are currently undefeated in four outings and will be seeking another win when they face the UP Fighting Maroons on Saturday, March 8, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.