Bella Belen

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Bella Belen
Personal information
NicknameBella
Height1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Spike287 cm (113 in)
Block294 cm (116 in)
College / University National University
Volleyball information
Position Outside hitter
Current team Capital1 Solar Spikers
Number—
Career
YearsTeams
2018 BaliPure Purest Water Defenders
2021 Rebisco (AVC)
2025– Capital1 Solar Spikers
National team
2023– Philippines
Honours
Women's volleyball
Representing Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines
Asian Nations Cup
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2025 Hanoi Team
SEA V.League
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2024 Vĩnh Phúc Leg 1
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2024 Nakhon Ratchasima Leg 2

Mhicaela "Bella" Belen is a Filipino volleyball player. She is currently playing as an outside hitter for Alas Pilipinas, a former NU Lady Bulldog and is now a new recruit of the Capital1 Solar Spikers. [1]

Contents

Education

Belen studied high school at Nazareth School until 2020, [2] [3] before moving up to the institution's affiliate college National University where she obtained a psychology degree in May 2025. [4]

Career

High school

Belen entered the Nazareth School,the high school department of the National University (NU), in 2014. However it was only in UAAP Season 78 when she would play for the NU Lady Bullpups. The team won the girls title on that season, the second consecutive title. [2]

In Season 80 in 2017, Belen earned her first MVP award. Nazareth's title streak ended in a Season 81 when they lost to De La Salle Santiago Zobel School. In Season 82, they reclaimed the title with an undefeated 12–0 record. Belen was named best outside hitter and was given her second MVP award. [2]

College

Belen aspired to attend the De La Salle University (DLSU) and was in contact with the school's coach Ramil de Jesus. However, Belen decided to go with the National University instead citing concerns of having to compete for playing time with other DLSU players. [2] In 2022, Belen joined the NU Lady Bulldogs. [5]

The Bulldogs in Belen's inaugural year won the title in the UAAP Season 84 after 65 years of title drought with a perfect 16-0 season sweep. [6] [7] She was also conferred the Best Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards becoming the first woman in the history of the UAAP women's volleyball to receive both awards in the same season. [8] In addition, she made a record as she scored eight service aces, the most services aces in a match in the UAAP women's division, against UP to tie Dzi Gervacio's eight in Ateneo's win coincidentally also against UP in UAAP Season 75 volleyball tournaments in 2013. [9]

Belen and her teammates tried to defend their championship title, but ended with a runner-up finish in the UAAP Season 85, where they lost to the De La Salle Lady Spikers in the finals. [10]

In 2024, Belen led her team to reclaim the title in the UAAP Season 86 after they swept the UST Golden Tigresses in a Finals Series. [11] She also reclaimed the Most Valuable Player and 1st Best Outside Hitter awards in the same season, making her a two-time UAAP MVP. [12] [13]

In 2025, Belen became the team captain for the NU Lady Bulldogs. The Bulldogs won their second consecutive title, defeating the DLSU Lady Spikers in the finals series of UAAP Season 87. [14] She also became a three-time UAAP MVP. Only Monica Aleta and Alyssa Valdez are the other women's volleyball players to be given the same recognition thrice. [15] In recognition of her efforts, NU retired her jersey number 4 in September, making her the first NU player and the third player in a UAAP school to receive the honor, following Rachel Daquis of Far Eastern University and Manilla Santos of DLSU. [16]

Club

While still a high schooler, Belen played for the BaliPure Purest Water Defenders at the 2018 Reinforced Conference of the Premier Volleyball League along with Alyssa Solomon. [17] [18]

In 2021, Belen played for the Philippines national team which competed under the club name "Rebisco" in the Asian Women's Club Volleyball Championship. The team finished last place. [19] [20]

Belen later returned to the PVL in 2025, now as a fully functioning professional league in the Philippines, where she got drafted to the Capital1 Solar Spikers as the No.1 overall PVL Draft Pick. [21]

National team

Belen has been part of the Philippines national team which played at the 2023 and 2024 SEA Women's V.League [22] [23] She also played at the 2025 AVC Women's Volleyball Nations Cup. [24]

Personal life

Belen also has a younger sister named Ghenievib, who is a current member of NSNU Bullpups and plays libero just like she did. [25]

Clubs

Awards

Individual

YearLeagueSeasonAwardRef
2018UAAP 80
(Junior's)		MVP (Season) [26]
2020 82
(Junior's)		MVP (Season) [27]
1st Best Outside Hitter
2022 84
(Women's)		MVP (Season) [28]
Rookie of the Year
1st Best Outside Hitter
SSL Pre-Season 2nd Best Outside Hitter [29]
2023 Pre-Season 1st Best Outside Hitter [30]
2024UAAP 86
(Women's)		MVP (Season) [31]
1st Best Outside Hitter
SSL Invitationals MVP (Season) [32]
1st Best Outside Hitter
Pre-Season MVP (Season) [33]
1st Best Outside Hitter
2025 UAAP 87
(Women's)		MVP (Season) [34]
1st Best Outside Hitter
Best Server
Exceptional Player [35]

High School

YearLeagueSeasonTitleRef
2015UAAP 77
(Junior's)		Champions
2016UAAP 78
(Junior's)		Champions
2017UAAP 79
(Junior's)		Champions
RVL girls' U18Champions
2018UAAP 80
(Junior's)		Champions
2019UAAP 81
(Junior's)		Runner-up
NCR Palaro Champions
Palarong Pambansa Champions
2020UAAP 82
(Junior's)		Champions

Collegiate

YearLeagueSeason/ConferenceTitleRef
2022 UAAP 84 Champions [36]
SSL Pre-Season Champions [37]
2023 UAAP 85 Runner-Up [38]
SSL Pre-Season Champions
2024 UAAP 86 Champions
UNIGAMES Champions
SSL Invitationals Champions
Pre-Season Champions
2025 UAAP 87 Champions

References

  1. ↑ Agcaoili, Lance (June 21, 2022). "Still more to come from Bella Belen; NU Lady Bulldogs after historic night". Inquirer Sports. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Buenaventura, Joshua (May 17, 2025). "Ciao, Bella: Three-time MVP Mhicaela Belen looks back on decade-long UAAP career with NU". One Sports. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  3. ↑ "'Walang imposible': Bella Belen takes pride in career grind from NU afterthought to legend". Rappler. May 14, 2025. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Biggest award: Bella Belen proud to earn psychology degree amid UAAP title chase". Rappler. May 13, 2025. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  5. ↑ Leongson, Randolph (May 5, 2022). "Mhicaela Belen makes emphatic debut as NU sweeps Adamson". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  6. ↑ "NU Lady Bulldogs end 65 years drought sweeps UAAP". Tiebreaker times. June 21, 2022. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  7. ↑ "NU formally books no. 1 spot with Bella Belen adding a dash of history in win". Inquirer Sports. June 5, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  8. ↑ Ulanday, John Bryan (June 21, 2021). "NU's Belen first ever Rookie Year-MVP UAAP women's volleyball". Inquirer Sports. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Bella Belen nails eight aces as NU rips UP to secure No. 1 seed". Spin.ph. June 4, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  10. ↑ Demigillo, Kiko (May 24, 2023). "Bella Belen gets creative in essay after Season 85 heartbreak". One Sports. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  11. ↑ Demigillo, Kiko (May 15, 2024). "UAAP: Alyssa Solomon, Bella Belen deliver NU's second title in 3 years after outlasting UST in Game 2". One Sports. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  12. ↑ Demigillo, Kiko (May 15, 2024). "UAAP: Bella Belen outlasts Angge Poyos and Vange Alinsug to win Season 86 MVP". One Sports. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  13. ↑ Isaga, JR (May 15, 2024). "Two-time UAAP Bella Belen dedicates 2nd title to early NU doubters". Rappler. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  14. ↑ Dalupang, Denison Rey A. (May 15, 2025). "Belen, Solomon hand NU third crown and chance to extend dynasty". Rappler. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  15. ↑ Agcaoili, Lance (May 14, 2025). "UAAP: Bella Belen caps storied NU run with MVP hat trick, title repeat". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  16. ↑ Montejo, Mark Rey (September 4, 2025). "NU retires Bella Belen's No. 4 jersey". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  17. ↑ Cagape, Francisco. "Iriga-Navy pinaluhod ang BaliPure-NU". Pilipino Star Ngayon (in Filipino). The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  18. ↑ Lozada, Bong (May 9, 2018). "Iriga-Navy sinks BaliPure for opening win in PVL". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  19. ↑ "Belen shines as young Rebisco handed tough loss by altay". Tiebreaker times. October 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Choco Mucho and Rebisco in Asian Women's Club". Business World. October 5, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  21. ↑ Valencia, Justin (June 9, 2025). "Bella Belen goes No. 1 in PVL Draft as Farm Fresh does not complicate at 3". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  22. ↑ "NU's Belen, Solomon lead PH team in women's SEA V.League". Philippine News Agency. July 31, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  23. ↑ Caacbay, Kennedy (August 3, 2024). "Alas Pilipinas succumbs to regional powerhouse Thailand in SEA V-League". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Belen-Solomon-Canino prowess on full display as Alas Pilipinas rips Indonesia in Nations Cup". ABS-CBN News. June 8, 2025. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  25. ↑ Garcia, John Mark (May 17, 2024). "MVP Bella Belen honors her 'batallion' of supportive family members". Spin.ph. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  26. ↑ Escarlote, Mark (December 1, 2017). "UAAP volleyball: Belen wins MVP in girls division, Calado bags top individual award in boys". ABS-CBN Sports. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  27. ↑ "UAAP 82: NU reigns supreme in girls' volleyball". ABS-CBN Sports. November 17, 2019. Archived from the original on November 18, 2019. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  28. ↑ Agcaoili, Lance (June 2022). "UAAP Volleyball: Eya Laure Best Scorer, Bella Belen makes case for Rookie-MVP". Inquirer Sports. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  29. ↑ Agcaoili, Lance (November 19, 2022). "NU's Alyssa Solomon wins Super League MVP". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  30. ↑ Villanueva, Ralph Edwin (November 11, 2023). "Lady Bulldogs edge Tigresses to rule Shakey's Super League tilt anew". Philstar.com. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  31. ↑ "Belen wins UAAP MVP for the second time; Poyos wins ROY honors". Spin.ph. November 17, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  32. ↑ "NU's Mhicaela Belen named Shakey's SL MVP". FASTBREAK.COM.PH. July 16, 2024. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  33. ↑ "Bella Belen, NU stay hungry ahead of UAAP title defense". Inquirer.net. November 25, 2024. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  34. ↑ "Belen wins UAAP MVP for the second time; Poyos wins ROY honors". Spin.ph. November 17, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  35. ↑ "Bella Belen joins elite company with third UAAP Women's Volleyball MVP title". Tiebreaker Times. May 14, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  36. ↑ Reyes, Mark Anthony (June 22, 2022). "NU Lady Bulldogs sweep season to end 65 years drought for UAAP volleyball title". Inquirer Sports. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  37. ↑ "Dominant NU blanks DLSU, wins Shakey's Super League". Rappler. November 19, 2022. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  38. ↑ Valencia, Justin (May 14, 2023). "La Salle storms back, completes revenge on NU for UAAP 85 crown". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
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