Canino, Belen touted as the future of Philippine volleyball

Once collegiate rivals in the UAAP, Bella Belen of NU and Angel Canino of La Salle have turned their once-intense competition into a formidable partnership for the national team, Alas Pilipinas.

Their chemistry was evident during the 2025 AVC Women’s Nations Cup and in the first two legs of the SEA V. League, where they played crucial roles in the Philippines’ historic silver medal finish — the country’s best-ever result in an AVC tournament — and back-to-back bronze medals in the SEA V. League.

National team coach Jorge Souza de Brito, the Brazilian tactician leading the program, sees Belen, Canino, and rising talent Shaina Nitura as the “core of the new era” in Philippine volleyball.

 “They’re used to dominating the UAAP, but the international stage is different. Still, they’ve shown the skill, courage, and mindset to compete at that level,” he noted.

Belen’s career reached a new milestone when she was chosen first overall in the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft by the Capital1 Solar Spikers, who lauded her as a “generational talent” and “game-changer.” 

The multi-time UAAP MVP and Rookie of the Year called the achievement “a dream come true” and pledged to bring the same dedication that defined her collegiate success.

UAAP ROTY SQUAD RUNNING IT 🔥

Bella Belen, Angel Canino, and Shaina Nitura take over in Set 4 as they step up big for Alas Pilipinas against Thailand in Leg 2 of the 2025 Women’s SEA V.League. #AlasPilipinas #SEAVLeague pic.twitter.com/hMDkWodr0e

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) August 9, 2025

Canino, meanwhile, has built an equally impressive track record. Her list of achievements includes being UAAP Season 85 MVP, Rookie of the Year, and the Best Opposite Spiker award at the 2024 Asian Challenge Cup. In recent seasons, she has also claimed Best Opposite Spiker and Best Outside Spiker honors in major AVC tournaments, including another Best Outside Spiker title in the first leg of the SEA V. League.

 Known for her scoring ability and composure in high-pressure situations, she remains one of the country’s most dependable offensive threats — with many fans and analysts ranking her alongside Belen as one of the Philippines’ top volleyball stars. 

Together, Belen and Canino embody the promise of a new era for Philippine volleyball — one built on youth, skill, and an unyielding competitive spirit. 

Their journey from collegiate rivals to national team pillars reflects not only their personal growth but also the sport’s evolution in the country. 

With their talent, leadership, and chemistry, they are poised to lead Alas Pilipinas to greater heights and inspire the next generation of athletes to dream bigger on both the local and international stage.

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