BELLA Belen has been the most consistent player for National University in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament.

Although the Lady Bulldogs sit in third spot in their redemption tour, things look bright for the 2022 champions after posting their biggest win of the season.

Producing MVP-like numbers is becoming a habit for Belen, who tallied a scintillating 24-point, 13-dig, 10-reception line in NU’s 23-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-20 victory over University of Santo Tomas Sunday night before 10,947 fans at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Aside from avenging their 19-25, 23-25, 22-25 defeat on opening weekend, the Lady Bulldogs ended the Tigresses’ eight-match winning streak.

With its first loss of the season, UST failed to match its finest start of 9-0 during its 2006-07 championship run.

“I’m very happy lang po kasi lahat sa amin talagang ginusto manalo sa laro na ito. Lagi ko kasing sinasabi sa teammates ko kanina, wala pa silang talo so mas masarap manalo,” said Belen who had 21-of-41 attacks and two blocks.

NU improved to 7-2 overall to keep within striking distance of defending champion La Salle, which currently sits in second place at 7-1.

With their tough five-set loss to the Lady Spikers at the end of the first round still fresh on the Lady Bulldogs’ minds, Belen is motivated as ever as they outworked the Tigresses in the two-hour, 18-minute match.

“Ayaw namin kasi maulit yung nangyari noong La Salle game na after the game, mayroon kaming what ifs, mayroon kaming panghihinayang,” said Belen, who is now the league’s third-best leading scorer behind super rookies Angge Poyos of UST and Casiey Dongallo of University of the East.

“Siguro naging mindset lang namin is dapat after nitong game, wala kaming what ifs, kailangan ibigay talaga yung best namin and yun, naging emotional po kaming lahat kasi talagang nakita namin na binigay namin ‘yung best namin,” the Season 84 Rookie-MVP added.

Vange Alinsug, who backed up Belen with 18 points, including three service aces, was happy to see NU play as one cohesive unit.

It was in contrast in the first round, where the Lady Bulldogs looked lost, allowing the Tigresses to pull off the straight sets victory that kickstarted their perfect run.

“Before kasi magstart yung season gustong-gusto talaga namin manalo pero hindi namin inexpect na ganon yung performance namin nung first game sa UST so ngayon, bumunga naman yung pinaghihirapan namin kahit minsan sa training may nalulungkot pero sobrang saya ko po ngayon,” said an emotional Alinsug.

Solomon also breached double figures with 17 points, Erin Pangilinan recorded three of NU’s 10 blocks, while libero Shaira Jardio shone defensively with 23 receptions and 10 digs.

Camilla Lamina was able to held on her own against the league’s top playmaker Cassie Carballo with 16 excellent sets.

Up next for the Lady Bulldogs is a showdown with the Lady Warriors on April 3, where Belen promised to elevate their level of play several notches higher against the Dongallo-led squad.

Games April 3

(Mall of Asia Arena)
10 a.m. – NU vs UE (Men)
12 noon – UST vs AdU (Men)
2 p.m. – NU vs UE (Women)
4 p.m. – UST vs AdU (Women)