Capital1 Solar Spikers’ Bella Belen is headed to her first PVL All-Star game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — When Bella Belen was asked concerning the massive fan support she has been receiving for the PVL All-Star Showcase, the Capital1 rookie had a playful answer.
“Malay niyo ako po yun. Charot! Nag-create ako ng accounts (Who knows, perhaps it’s me. I created those accounts. Just kidding),” Belen said.
READ: PVL: Bella Belen disillusioned but determined after Capital1 exit
That humor—along together with her reference to fans—captures what makes Belen beloved. Not to say her talent that fueled a storied UAAP women’s volleyball tournament profession with the National University Lady Bulldogs, where she won three championships and three MVP awards, including a historic run as the primary rookie MVP.
Belen, whose No. 4 jersey was later retired by NU and who was named Philippine Sportswriters Association Miss Volleyball after a banner 2025, is coming off her best Premier Volleyball League campaign yet.
She emerged because the preliminary round’s Best Scorer with 218 points built on 199 kills, eight blocks and 11 aces, though Capital1 Solar Spikers bowed out within the Play-In to Galeries Tower Highrisers.
The No. 1 overall pick of the Solar Spikers has a robust probability to win Rookie of the Conference, although she isn’t any longer eligible for the MVP award. Only players from the highest 4 teams are considered, a rule long enforced by the league and other pro leagues across sports.
Kidding aside, Belen is grateful for the fans who’ve been supporting her and voting for her for a possible starting role for Team Heart within the PVL All-Star Game on May 1 in Candon City.
“I’m really pleased because individuals are seeing how I’ve been playing this conference within the PVL, what I can contribute and share with the fans,” Belen said in Filipino.
Voting tally
Capital1’s Bella Belen celebrates some extent against Creamline within the PVL All-Filipino Conference.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
The 23-year-old Belen, who was the leading candidate for the surface hitter position for Team Heart through the first returns, continues to be on target to start out because the second open spiker with 16.03 percent of votes. Creamline’s Jema Galanza suddenly surged to the highest with 27.15 percent of the votes.
Belen leads her fellow three-time UAAP MVP Alyssa Valdez, who slid to 3rd with 15.48 percent.
Cignal’s rising star Erika Santos, who won the PVL on Tour MVP, took a commanding 44.57 percent of the votes for the starting opposite spiker position, leading Farm Fresh’s Ara Galang (27.11 percent), whom Belen considers as her idol.
Jeanette Panaga of the Cool Smashers retains the highest spot for the center blocker race with 33.39 percent, while Nxled’s two-time Finals MVP Phillips, who ranked fifth in the primary returns, jumped to second with 21.56 percent.
Belen’s Alas teammates, Akari libero Justine Jazareno continues to guide Team Heart with 50.48 percent, while Creamline’s Jia De Guzman stays the highest setter with 79.91 percent.
While it’s an All-Star event, Belen is looking forward to constructing connections and learning from fellow stars.
“I’m also very excited to be teammates with players I haven’t played with before, especially my idols. It’s a distinct feeling whenever you actually get to share the court with them, even for a short while,” said Belen. “I just need to absorb as much as I can from them. So I’m really excited to see what the ultimate tally of the votes will likely be.”