BANGKOK – Volleyball star Bella Belen is no stranger to winning championships and representing the country in the international scene as part of Alas Pilipinas.
But for the four-time UAAP champion, being part of the national team in her first ever Southeast Asian Games in Thailand is another level of fulfillment.
In an interview with POC Media Pool on Tuesday, Belen was all smiles when she talked about her SEA Games debut.
"I'm very happy and honored na isa ako sa mag-paparade. Siyempre isang malaking karangalan [ito] for an athlete like me na mapasama sa ganito and mabigyan puri yung country natin," she said before the opening ceremony at the Rajmangala National Stadium in Bangkok.
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Belen looked back on her younger years competing at the Palarong Pambansa during elementary and high school. Now as a professional player, she said it's a similar feeling but on another level.
"Sobrang nostalgic siya for me. Pero siyempre mas mataas po kasi SEA Games. Very throwback din since naka-barong and everything. Pero siyempre iba parin ngayon. Since first time ko mag-SEA Games iba yung feeling na ma-represent yung country," she shared.
As she relishes being part of the country's SEA Games delegation, Belen said she is determined to help the women's volleyball team get back on the podium.
Belen said their strong opponents are familiar foes in Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand.
"We're aiming naman for the gold. Lahat naman going for the gold. Pero siyempre hindi magiging madali for us. Lalo na't hindi naging ganun kahaba yung preparation namin. Alam naman namin ibibigay namin best namin at hopefully makapag-podium tayo," she said.
Alas will open its campaign against hosts and defending champions Thailand on Thursday at the Indoor Stadium Huamark in Bangkok.