Bella Belen expresses gratitude as NU retires No. 4 jersey in her honor

National University (NU) volleyball icon Bella Belen has cemented her place in school and UAAP history after the Lady Bulldogs officially retired her jersey on Thursday, September 4, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena — a rare honor reserved for the league’s most legendary athletes.

Belen, visibly emotional during the ceremony, expressed her gratitude to NU for the recognition.

“Sobrang happy talaga, as in. Kung pwede ko lang balikan lahat ng years na nilaro ko sa NU, gagawin ko. I’m very happy and thankful talaga with NU,” Belen said.

The 23-year-old admitted she was overwhelmed with emotions leading up to the event.

“Sobrang saya po talaga, I mean kanina, bago ako pumunta dito, iyak ako nang iyak sa condo. Hindi ko ma-explain or maipaliwanag. Basta I’m very happy and thankful sa NU kasi na-recognize nila ‘yung hard work ko for the past few years. I’m very happy,” she added.

From this day forward, no NU women’s volleyball player will ever wear jersey #4 again.

Congratulations, Bella Belen — a true legend whose legacy will live on 4ever. 🐾 pic.twitter.com/Hr1vLZoYRw

— Jomari Carreon (@filmsofjomari) September 4, 2025

Belen spent 11 years with the NU volleyball program, steering the Lady Bulldogs to three UAAP championship titles in Seasons 84, 86, and 87. She also earned three MVP honors and earlier helped NU-Nazareth claim five championships in the juniors division.

“Parang last week ata or two weeks ago, tumawag sa ‘kin ‘yung sa Athletics Office – Sir Otie (Camangian), tinawagan ako. Then ‘yun nga, sabi nila they are planning to retire my jersey. Ta’s ako naman, nasa mall ako para akong baliw. Naiiyak ako, ganiyan-ganiyan and all,” Belen recalled.

With the distinction, Belen becomes only the third player in UAAP history to have her jersey retired by her alma mater, joining Manilla Ng of De La Salle University and Rachel Anne Daquis of Far Eastern University.

Widely regarded as the future of Philippine volleyball, Belen was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft by the Capital1 Solar Spikers. She has yet to make her professional debut as she continues to serve the national team, most recently helping Alas Pilipinas secure a runner-up finish in the 2025 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Nations Cup in Vietnam last June.

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