Bella Belen admits struggles in official PVL debut, promises improvement

The Capital1 Solar Spikers endured a tough welcome to the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference, suffering a straight-sets defeat at the hands of the PLDT High Speed Hitters, 25–22, 25–20, 25–23, on Monday, October 13, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

All eyes were on top overall pick and UAAP standout Bella Belen, who made her highly anticipated official PVL debut. Despite tallying 16 points, Belen struggled to assert herself offensively against a disciplined and well-prepared PLDT squad.

Her performance marked a significant drop from her impressive outing in what was initially thought to be her debut — a 31–33, 24–26, 23–25 loss to the Choco Mucho Flying Titans on October 7 at the Ynares Center in Montalban, where she recorded 20 points, 18 digs, and 12 excellent receptions. However, that match was later deemed unofficial after the PVL opted to replay all opening-day games due to the absence of import players, who were barred from competing because of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation’s (PNVF) failure to issue clearances.

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Speaking after the match, the 23-year-old Belen acknowledged the steep learning curve in transitioning from collegiate to professional volleyball.

Capital1 Solar Spikers’ Bella Belen shares that she’s happy to face the team she looks up to in the PLDT High Speed Hitters and acknowledges the challenge of adjusting quickly to teams in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference.#OSOnTheSpot #PVL2025 #TheHeartofVolleyball pic.twitter.com/x0YuroufHg

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) October 13, 2025

“I need to improve my level of play. It’s not easy being here in the PVL. All the teams scout and have a lot of data,” Belen said. “It’s now up to me to challenge myself and adjust my game as the season goes.”

She also noted PLDT’s defensive presence as a key challenge.

“They’re really a blocking team—even more than others. I adjusted a bit late in the game, and that’s something I’ll change moving forward. I need to know how to read the opponent even before the game starts.”

Widely regarded as one of the brightest young stars in Philippine volleyball, Belen admitted the speed and intensity of the PVL caught her off guard.

“I need to learn how to play at this pace. The adjustments here happen so fast—I can’t even explain how fast it is,” she added. “But I learned a lot from this game, and I’ll use that to improve heading into the next one.”

Belen and the Solar Spikers will aim for their first official win of the conference when they face the Nxled Chameleons on Thursday, October 16, once again at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

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