Bella Belen is a big fan of Japan’s Ran Takahashi (left) who is in Manila for the VNL Week 2. –UAAP, VOLLEYBALL WORLD PHOTOS
MANILA, Philippines — Bella Belen looks forward to watching the games of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) men’s division at Smart Araneta Coliseum after a grueling and historic UAAP Season 84 women’s volleyball tournament.
The Rookie MVP will celebrate her historic first season with National University by watching the Japanese men’s volleyball team games, particularly her idol, Ran Takahashi.
“I can finally meet Ran (Takahashi) in the VNL,” shared Belen in Filipino after ending NU’s 65-year title drought with a 16-game season sweep on Tuesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
The 19-year-old spiker, who won also won the Rookie of the Year and 1st Best Outside hitter, said she already bought tickets for June 24, 25, and 26 matches where Japan will face Italy, France, and Slovenia.
Belen revealed that she had a short video chat with Takahashi on the day before NU-La Salle Finals Game Two that inspired her to end the series.
“Before training, I had a video call with Ran. Wow! Lamang na ako sa pila (I’m ahead of the line)! We talked to each other,” she said.
“I won’t let them leave the Philippines without having a picture (with Ran).”
On the day that NU won its first UAAP title since 1957, Japan opened its Quezon City leg stint with a 27-25, 25-18, 17-25, 25-16 victory over Argentina for its fourth win in five matches.
Belen also wanted to watch the women’s VNL last week, but unfortunately, it was staged during their preparation for the Finals and Game 1 against La Salle.