Capital1's prized rookie Bella Belen. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA — Bella Belen hopes to see an improved and fighting Capital1 next conference.
The 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Rookie Draft's number one overall pick, while acknowledging that they had improved, said that she's hopeful in seeing a Capital1 that joins the trend of teams going up further, in terms of competitiveness.
"Ang laki po nang na-improve namin as a team. Pero siyempre, we're still hoping, I'm still hoping na kaya pa namin mag-improve pa kasi siyempre lahat ng teams parang going up na 'yung trend," said Belen on Monday.
"So, I'm really looking forward to kung ano pa 'yung pwede namin magawa for the next conference," she added.
The Solar Spikers' 2025 Reinforced Conference campaign ended at the hands of Zus Coffee, 14-25, 20-25, 18-25, in the quarterfinals, Monday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
READ: PVL: Zus Coffee clinches breakthrough semis berth, takes out Capital1
Despite the quarterfinals ouster, Belen views it as an experience that will boost their confidence.
"Maganda rin siyang experience for us. Nakaabot kami until quarters. Parang hindi naman 'yun parang tsamba for us. I mean, we really worked hard para makapasok ng quarters. So, parang malaki rin siyang boost siguro ng confidence namin na kaya namin, kaya namin lumaban," she said.
An extra "push" might do wonders, said Belen.
"Kailangan lang namin ng konti pang siguro push, konti pang pang sipag sa training para mas tumaas pa 'yung like 'yung paglalaro namin. And then, maka-achieve kami nang mas mataas, hindi lang quarters."
The three-time UAAP MVP—a serial winner at the collegiate level with three titles—also acknowledged the difference in play in the pros and in the UAAP.
"Siguro very challenging siya talaga. Iba na 'yung laruan dito sa PVL, unlike sa UAAP. So, mataas 'yung level of competition here and kailangan din minsan alam mo kung paano mo i-handle siguro 'yung emotions, ganyan, 'yung excitement every game," she said.
"Kasi, parang every team [ay] adjusting really well talaga eh. Mabilis mag-adjust lahat ng team. So, dapat ganoon din kami as Capital1 team. Kailangan alam namin kung kailan kami gagana."