Bella Belen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nickname | Bella | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Spike | 287 cm (113 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Block | 294 cm (116 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
College / University | National University | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Volleyball information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position | Outside hitter | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Current team | Capital1 Solar Spikers | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Number | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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National team | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Honours
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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]
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]
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]
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]
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. [16] [17]
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. [18] [19]
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. [20]
Belen has been part of the Philippines national team which played at the 2023 and 2024 SEA Women's V.League [21] [22] She also played at the 2025 AVC Women's Volleyball Nations Cup. [23]
Belen also has a younger sister named Ghenievib, who is a current member of NSNU Bullpups. Her sister plays libero just like she did. [24]
Year | League | Season | Award | Ref |
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2018 | UAAP | 80 (Junior's) | MVP (Season) | [25] |
2020 | 82 (Junior's) | MVP (Season) | [26] | |
1st Best Outside Hitter | ||||
2022 | 84 (Women's) | MVP (Season) | [27] | |
Rookie of the Year | ||||
1st Best Outside Hitter | ||||
SSL | Pre-Season | 2nd Best Outside Hitter | [28] | |
2023 | Pre-Season | 1st Best Outside Hitter | [29] | |
2024 | UAAP | 86 (Women's) | MVP (Season) | [30] |
1st Best Outside Hitter | ||||
SSL | Invitationals | MVP (Season) | [31] | |
1st Best Outside Hitter | ||||
Pre-Season | MVP (Season) | [32] | ||
1st Best Outside Hitter | ||||
2025 | UAAP | 87 (Women's) | MVP (Season) | [33] |
1st Best Outside Hitter | ||||
Best Server | ||||
Exceptional Player | [34] |
Year | League | Season | Title | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | UAAP | 77 (Junior's) | Champions | |
2016 | UAAP | 78 (Junior's) | Champions | |
2017 | UAAP | 79 (Junior's) | Champions | |
RVL girls' U18 | Champions | |||
2018 | UAAP | 80 (Junior's) | Champions | |
2019 | UAAP | 81 (Junior's) | Runner-up | |
NCR Palaro | Champions | |||
Palarong Pambansa | Champions | |||
2020 | UAAP | 82 (Junior's) | Champions |
Year | League | Season/Conference | Title | Ref |
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2022 | UAAP | 84 | Champions | [35] |
SSL | Pre-Season | Champions | [36] | |
2023 | UAAP | 85 | Runner-Up | [37] |
SSL | Pre-Season | Champions | ||
2024 | UAAP | 86 | Champions | |
UNIGAMES | Champions | |||
SSL | Invitationals | Champions | ||
Pre-Season | Champions | |||
2025 | UAAP | 87 | Champions |