“She’s one of a kind”: Farm Fresh coach Alessandro Lodi in awe of Bella Belen

The Farm Fresh Foxies outlasted the Capital1 Solar Spikers in a thrilling showdown at the ongoing 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference, held Tuesday, October 21, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Farm Fresh emerged victorious with a 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, 25-22 win, extending their unbeaten run to three games atop Pool A. Head coach Alessandro Lodi had to call a crucial timeout in the second set to refocus his squad as Capital1 mounted a strong challenge behind University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) standout Bella Belen.

Despite leading early, the Foxies found themselves on the back foot midway through the match as Belen caught fire, forcing Lodi to rally his players with a fiery message during the timeout.

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“This is what we get because Belen is killing you. Do we agree on that? She is killing you, right? So we either go back into competitors’ mode or we are going to go home. Rightfully so. Make no mistake about it, she is kicking your ass. So be a team that competes,” Lodi said during the huddle — words that proved to be a turning point for Farm Fresh.

Coach Alessandro Lodi highlights Bella Belen as a formidable presence, noting how she challenged the Farm Fresh Foxies throughout their four-set victory over the Capital1 Solar Spikers in the 2025 PVL Invitational Conference.#OSOntheSpot #PVL2025 #TheHeartofVolleyball pic.twitter.com/1l8A4dCQIW

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) October 21, 2025

The Foxies responded with renewed energy, led by import Eli Rousseaux, who delivered a stellar 36-point performance, while setter Alohi Robins-Hardy orchestrated the offense with composure and precision.

On the other side, Belen turned in another outstanding effort, finishing with 20 points and 19 excellent digs — a testament to her growing stature in Philippine volleyball. After the game, even Lodi couldn’t help but praise the 23-year-old phenom.

“I don’t know what I can add about Belen that hasn’t been said yet,” Lodi admitted. “From my perspective, and maybe I understand the game a little better than many, she’s one of a kind. She’s not overwhelmingly physical, but she knows exactly what she’s doing with the ball. Her control, her variety of shots — it’s exceptional. She frustrates opponents because she plays smart.”

He added, “She may not be taller or stronger, but she’s really, really good. I just hope she stays humble and keeps working because she has the tools to be great for many years.”

With the win, Farm Fresh remains undefeated at 3-0 to lead Pool A, while Capital1 drops to fifth place with a 1-2 record — still searching for consistency as the Reinforced Conference heats up.

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