EMERGING TALENTS IN UAAP KEEP MVP FRONTRUNNER BELEN HONEST
MANILA, Philippines — Up-and-coming talents in the UAAP women's volleyball tournament keep NU Lady Bulldogs star Bella Belen honest.
Belen, the Season 84 Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player, the latter award she repeated in Season 86 last year, said that the rise of talented players every year just made her raise her game even more.
Safe to say, Belen's motivation is working since she's on pace to win her third MVP award in four seasons as she leads the statistical points with 159.600 after the first round of the current Season 87, where her Lady Bulldogs are on a mission for a title repeat.
"For me, I just always want to raise the level of my game because there are a lot of young players coming into the UAAP who are really good. So, I have to step up my game too," said Belen.
Talented players, even generational, if you will, entered the UAAP women's volleyball space over the past four years, indeed.
After Belen, La Salle's Angel Canino stamped her class and became the ROTY and MVP herself in Season 85.
Then, UST's Angge Poyos made noise in Season 86 as she won the ROTY and contended for the MVP plum against Belen.
This season, it's Adamson's Shaina Nitura who's making her mark especially after setting the league's scoring record of 38 points.
In that stretch, Belen's play remains high-level.
And on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena, Belen displayed another MVP-worthy performance.
The fourth year spiker pumped 23 points on top of 17 receptions and seven digs for the league-leading Lady Bulldogs, who improved to 8-0 after defeating the De La Salle Lady Spikers, 25-19, 22-25, 25-20, 25-18.
The 22-year-old Belen deflects the credits to her teammates.
"I believe that awards are just there on the sidelines. What I need to focus on is what I can contribute to the team, and it's all about team effort," said Belen.
"I wouldn't be able to do it without my teammates' help. The awards are just a bonus for the player. What's important is that we keep working hard, and that's our main goal this season."
2025-03-24T03:52:11Z