Bella Belen impresses in PVL debut despite Capital1 setback vs Choco Mucho

Top overall pick and former UAAP standout Bella Belen lived up to expectations in her Premier Volleyball League (PVL) debut, turning in an impressive all-around performance for the Capital1 Solar Spikers on Tuesday, October 7.

Playing against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans at the Ynares Center in Montalban, Belen delivered a stellar outing with 20 points, 18 digs, and 12 excellent receptions, showcasing why she was the first overall selection in the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft held last June at Novotel Manila.

However, her strong individual effort wasn’t enough to lift Capital1 to victory, as the Solar Spikers dropped a tightly contested match, 31–33, 24–26, 23–25.

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Following the loss, the 23-year-old admitted feeling disappointed with the result, particularly in how the team failed to respond in high-pressure sequences.

Bella Belen shares her thoughts after her PVL debut. #PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/T0Hh8jie6R

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) October 7, 2025

“Of course, I’m really happy that I finally got to play. But sadly, we didn’t win,” said Belen post-game. “It’s a bit frustrating because I felt like we could have pushed the game further, but we fell short in the end.”

“There were crucial moments, like during long rallies, where we kind of stopped fighting. I think we still lack some mental toughness and trust in each other. That’s something we really need to work on, especially since most of the sets were really close. Like in the first set, we even went past 30 points. So it was really a missed opportunity.”

Belen, a dominant force during her UAAP tenure with National University, acknowledged that transitioning to the professional ranks requires more than just skill—mental resilience and adaptability are equally vital.

“I think what I need to develop is more patience, because this is a different level of play. It’s not like the UAAP anymore. Everyone here really wants to win—even our opponents,” she said. “I need to be more patient with myself and with the team.”

“It’s a totally different vibe now compared to when I played with NU. I’m with different teammates, under a new system, so I really need to adjust. But it’s just the first game. There is still time for me to adapt, and there are more games ahead. We just need to adjust quickly because the pace here is fast.”

Despite the loss, Belen’s PVL debut showed flashes of brilliance and reaffirmed her potential to become one of the league’s rising stars. She and the Solar Spikers will look to bounce back when they take on the PLDT High Speed Hitters on Monday, October 13, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

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