Capital1 prized rookie Bella Belen. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA (UPDATED) — Bella Belen's star continues to shine for Capital1.
Belen put up a masterclass, firing 29 points—matching her UAAP career-high—to carry the Solar Spikers past Choco Mucho, 25-21, 18-25, 25-18, 19-25, 15-10, in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.
This also marked another PVL-best performance for the National University legend, surpassing the career-high she posted against PLDT just last Thursday—and her fourth straight 20-point output this conference.
"For me, maganda ‘yung ipinakita ng team kasi hindi madaling kalaban ‘yung Choco Mucho," said Belen during the postgame interview.
"Talagang palaban din sila na team and kami naman, sabi lang namin gawin namin ‘yung role namin as a player and kung ano ‘yung game plan namin, kailangan mag-stick lang do'n."
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Before bowing out in Set 4, the Solar Spikers, who trailed by as much as 20-7, unleashed an 11-3 run; but Sisi Rondina was there with the kill to force a decider, 25-19.
Belen's fifth point in the last frame sparked a 6-2 run in the endgame that snatched the win, with Sydney Niegos and France Ronquillo chipping in points, coupled with multiple Choco Mucho faults, capped by a Caitlin Viray attack error that marked Capital1's victory.
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"Ayun, dikitan po ‘yung laro, talagang sabi namin kailangan namin magtiyaga and mag-relax kasi there are times na naataranta kami. Dun kami like nawawala sa momentum and ‘yung fifth set talagang nilaban lang namin kasi nandun na kami, may chance na kami maipanalo ‘yung game," added Belen.
After the match, the 23-year-old Alas Pilipinas star spiker was handed the Philippine Sportswriters Association's Ms. Volleyball trophy—the highest honor for volleybelles in the country given by reporters covering the Filipino athletes.
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Meanwhile, Rondina paced her crew with 22 points on 19 attacks and three aces, to go along with 10 excellent receptions, while Kat Tolentino had 19 points. In one of her better games, Des Cheng had 15 markers and 14 excellent digs.