Tag: Belen

Bella Belen, Angel Canino relish first team-up at Alas Pilipinas

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Bella Belen and Angel Canino team up for Alas Pilipinas in the FIVB Challenger Cup. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — From UAAP rivals to national team teammates, Bella Belen and Angel Canino relished their first team-up despite Alas Pilipinas losing to Vietnam in the FIVB Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup on Friday evening at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Philippines witnessed the first team-up of the two UAAP rookie MVPs in their 14-25, 22-25, 21-25 loss to Vietnam in front of a soldout crowd.

Although Alas’ Volleyball Nations League (VNL) qualifier ended in just a game, the newly-formed duo showed a glimpse of what they can offer with Canino pouring in 12 points and Belen only scoring two on top of a steady floor defense in the first two sets.

“I am very happy because I am now with Angel in the national team. Before, we were opponents in the UAAP, but now we are teammates,” said National University’s two-time MVP Belen, who has been going up against Canino and La Salle for the past two seasons.

HIGHLIGHTS: Alas Pilipinas vs Vietnam FIVB Challenger Cup

Canino, who beat Belen and the Lady Bulldogs in the Season 85 finals last year, would rather have Belen as her teammate than a rival. 

 “I’m happy because I told them that I would rather choose Bella as my teammate because I’ve been wanting to team up with her again for a long time. I’m very happy that she’s my teammate now,” said the Season 85 MVP and Rookie of the Year.

Despite the one-and-done Challenger Cup stint, Canino and Belen look forward to more team-ups in the future as they seek to elevate the level of Philippine volleyball, playing in the SEA V.League next month. 

“I think our connection will become stronger with longer training. I believe we can bring out the best in each other,” Belen said.

READ: Alas Pilipinas hit with reality check ahead of Challenger Cup

Belen, who came from South Korea with NU, was pleased with their gallant stand against Vietnam but she needs more time for their build up. The Nationals train in Japan next week until July 25.

“I think we did our best, but maybe Vietnam has been training for a long time. For us, especially me, I just came from vacation. I think we can compete, we just need longer preparation,” said Belen. 

Canino also stayed positive despite the results choosing to look at the lessons from the Vietnamese, who also ruled the AVC Challenge Cup in Manila two weeks ago.

“We all gave our best, and while we’re sad about the result, we’re also happy because we learned something. You don’t go home a loser if you’ve learned something—you always gain knowledge. Especially now, facing Vietnam, we feel like we know where we stand and what we still need to improve as a team,” said the La Salle star.



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“We will continue preparing for the SEA V.League, and of course, we look forward to giving our best always and bringing our A-game. It’s another opportunity for us to learn and for the team to showcase our talents,” she added.

Bella Belen back for UAAP title repeat bid with NU Lady Bulldogs

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Bella Belen is returning for her fourth year with National University in the UAAP.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Bella Belen has made her fourth year of eligibility for National University official as she expressed her intention to win a third UAAP championship next year in the Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.

Belen, who politely declined to comment about skipping the PVL Rookie Draft, finally broke her silence on Tuesday just hours after the first day of the PVL Combine with a short but meaningful message to the NU community.

“Redemption complete. We’re not done yet. Time to make it two in a row! See you next season,” wrote Belen in her Instagram post including the pictures of their triumph in the UAAP Season 86.

READ: Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon skip PVL Draft, stay with NU Lady Bulldogs

Belen led NU’s redemption after emerging as a two-time UAAP MVP and sweeping the University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Finals.

Determined to run it back and complete a golden repeat next year, she is staying with Finals MVP Alyssa Solomon and her batchmates Sheena Toring, Erin Pangilinan, and Lams Lamina to keep a formidable Lady Bulldogs’ roster with Vange Alinsug, Chams Maaya, and Arah Panique.

Despite the high interest, Belen and Solomon skipped the draft and opted to stay with NU with La Salle stars Thea Gagate, Julia Coronel, and Leila Cruz, Ateneo’s Roma Mae Doromal, Adamson’s Lucille Almonte, and UP’s Steph Bustrillo headlining the 47 rookie aspirants.

READ: Bella Belen, NU get perfect ending after rough start

Belen and the Lady Bulldogs lost the championship to the Angel Canino-led La Salle last year before completing a successful title-redemption tour this year also winning her second 1st Best Outside Hitter award.

The do-it-all outside spiker became the first-ever women’s volleyball Rookie MVP in 2022, leading NU to a perfect 16-0 title run for its first championship in 65 years.

Belen and Solomon, who missed the chance to play for Alas Pilipinas’ bronze medal finish in the AVC Challenge Cup, are part of the team’s training pool for the FIVB Challenger Cup, facing Vietnam in a knockout game on July 5 at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.



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PVL draft quality takes hit with Belen

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Bella Belen, left, and Alyssa Solomon during Game 1 of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

The absence of National University’s (NU) Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon has left the PVL draft pool rather shallow when it comes to talent, team officials told the Inquirer on Saturday after names of the applying rookies were made available to the public.

“It’s not as deep as hoped,” a team official said, a sentiment echoed by several others regarding the pool that will be spearheaded by Alas Pilipinas players Thea Gagate and Julia Coronel of La Salle and dependable Adamson outside spikers Lucille Almonte and Ishie Lalongisip.

Turnout high

But some PVL coaches are positive that the number of players who applied for the draft is something that could make an impact for teams.

“We’re happy because at least the turnout of applicants was high,” PLDT coach Rald Ricafort said. “We hope more will apply next time.”

PLDT will pick eighth in the draft, with Ricafort looking more at a player’s behavior to help a roster hit by injuries. “When it comes to qualities of players, we’re looking for those who are coachable and have good attitudes,” Ricafort said. “We’re trying to fill in positions where we are lacking. We have a lot of players who are injured or in recovery.”

“The 47 draftees are good and it all depends on the needs of the team,” said Creamline tactician Sherwin Meneses. “For our choice, it will all depend on whoever is still available for the 12th pick.”

Belen and Solomon, sources told the Inquirer, are running it back with the Lady Bulldogs next UAAP season, where NU will go after its third crown in four years.

The Inquirer reached out to Belen and NU coach Norman Miguel for comments but they have not responded as of press time.

The PVL will be holding its first Rookie Draft in history with the league’s 12 teams hoping to fill roster spots from among the 47 players that signed up for selection.

Apart from Gagate and Coronel, fellow Lady Spikers Maicah Larroza and Leila Cruz also applied for the draft, along with Adamson opposite spiker AA Adolfo. Ateneo libero Roma Mae Doromal and Santo Tomas’ Pierre Abellana also threw their names in the pool.



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Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon skip PVL Draft, stay with NU

On: By: admin


Alyssa Solomon and Bella Belen. UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — National University’s hard-hitting pair Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon are running it back with the Lady Bulldogs next UAAP season after skipping the inaugural 2024 PVL Rookie Draft.

Amid the high interest for Belen and Solomon, both NU stars didn’t throw their names in the first-ever PVL draft during the deadline on Wednesday. Alas Pilipinas players Thea Gagate and Julia Coronel headline the 47 aspirants.

Inquirer sources bared that Belen and Solomon have decided to play one more year with the Lady Bulldogs, eyeing a second straight championship in Season 87 — their third in four years.

READ: Thea Gagate, Julia Coronel lead first PVL rookie draft aspirants

Belen and NU coach Norman Miguel were sought for comments but they have yet to respond as of posting time.

NU remains a formidable  side with the two MVPs staying put along with key players Lams Lamina, Sheena Toring, Vange Alinsug, Erin Pangilinan, and Shaira Jardio as well as Arah Panique and Nathasza Bombita.

Belen and Solomon, the UAAP Season and Finals MVP, respectively, are currently training with Alas Pilipinas, which is preparing for its FIVB Challenger Cup hosting next month at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

READ: NU stars, Jema Galanza join Alas Pilipinas training

Among the 47 aspirants are La Salle’s Maicah Larroza and Leila Cruz, Ateneo libero Roma Mae Doromal, UST’s Pierre Abellana, Adamson’s Lucille Almonte, Ishie Lalongisip, and AA Adolfo, UP scorer Stephanie Bustrillo.

The live draft lottery determining the order of the first four picks will take place on June 24 with ZUS Coffee having the highest chance of getting the top pick with 40 percent, followed by Capital1 (30%), Galeries Tower (20%), and Farm Fresh (10%).

Nxled holds the fifth pick, followed by Akari, Cignal, PLDT, Chery Tiggo, Petro Gazz, runner-up Choco Mucho, and All-Filipino Conference champion Creamline.



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The 47 aspirants will have a two-day Draft Combine from June 25 to 26 at Gameville Ballpark in Sheridan, Mandaluyong.