National University standout Bella Belen during Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball finals on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
MANILA, Philippines – National University standout Bella Belen on Sunday celebrated her recent feat that complements their Game 1 win over De La Salle University in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball finals.
Belen, 22, had just graduated from college with a Psychology degree — and she cannot stop smiling about it.
"I'm very happy kasi siyempre 'yung diploma hindi siya biro sa isang estudyante. Isa po talaga 'yung sa mga gusto naming mga estudyante na makuha kasi di siya madali," said Belen.
READ: UAAP: Belen, Alinsug shine as National U overwhelms La Salle for 1-0 lead
The captain of the Lady Bulldogs shared how hard it was for her to juggle sports and academics.
"Kahit na may mga taong nagsasabi na porket student-athlete, nakapasa lang kami dahil student-athlete kami, hindi. Nag-aaral din kami, nagpupuyat. So I'm very happy kasi nakakuha na ako ng diploma from NU."
READ: UAAP: National U completes reverse sweep vs. FEU to punch Finals ticket
Belen hopes to be an inspiration to fellow student-athletes who aim to cross the finish line in academics.
"Hindi siya imposible. Kahit na student-athlete ka na busy sa training schedules and at the same time may classes, talagang kailangan lang magsumikap at kailangan marunong lang sa time management," she said.
"Siyempre, set your priorities din para balang araw maka-graduate din."
Belen hopes to end her decorated UAAP career with back-to-back titles with the Lady Bulldogs.
They now lead 1-0 in the best-of-three championship series after turning back the Lady Spikers, 25-17, 25-21, 13-25, 25-17.
RELATED VIDEO: