Capital1 prized rookie Bella Belen. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA — As she faces a gargantuan task of meeting expectations in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), 2025 Rookie Draft No.1 overall pick Bella Belen said that she needs to level up her play and make real-time in-game adjustments in order to compete further in the pros.
Belen and the Capital1 Solar Spikers fell flat in their first official game in the 2025 Reinforced Conference, losing in straight sets to PLDT, 22-25, 20-25, 23-25, on Monday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
READ: PVL: PLDT beats Capital1, extends winning streak to 14
"Challenge din siya for me na kahit rookie ako, kailangan itaas ko pa 'yung level ng paglalaro ko. Kasi hindi basta-basta 'yung PVL talaga. Lahat ng teams nagsa-scout, maraming data. So ako, nasa sa akin kung paano ko i-challenge siguro 'yung sarili ko, kung paano ko mag-adjust in-game," the three-time UAAP MVP out of National University said.
She registered 13 points, which all came from spikes, and added nine excellent digs.
Belen, facing her "ideal team" PLDT, argued that the Solar Spikers could have played better, but eventually acknowledged that the High Speed Hitters are the better team, citing her own squad's shortcomings.
"Kaya sana 'yung game. I mean, kaya ma-push sana. Lalo na 'yung last set, maraming glimpse akong nakita na kaya sana ng team namin na mag-dominate pa. Kaso 'yun, kinulang. And ang ganda nung nilaro ni PLDT, talagang nabasa kami," she added.
The Alas Pilipinas star spiker relished the chance of battling the High Speed Hitters for the first time.
READ: Bella Belen looks forward to facing ex-NU teammates Erin Pangilinan, Sheena Toring in PVL
"I'm very happy na—hindi man ako sa kanila napunta, nakalaban ko sila. And grabe, ang daming ko natutunan this game na pwede kong baguhin and pwede kong ma-apply next game," she said.
"I'm very happy talaga na nakatapat ko sila. Ayun nga, medyo close-close. Kasi lalo na 'yung mga coaches, ganyan. So, ayun. Happy lang po."
Capital1 already played two games this conference, but the Jorge de Brito-coached squad's first match was deemed void as the league and participating teams decided to replay the October 7 matches.
This was after a short-lived standoff between the PVL and PNVF over import clearances, which were necessary for the guest players to play on Philippine soil.
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