UAAP: Bella Belen: ‘Swag’ is form of expression, ‘part of the game’
Bella Belen (4) and the NU Lady Bulldogs celebrate after scoring a point against the La Salle Lady Spikers in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball second round.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — From explosive exchanges to animated celebrations, the intense duel between National University and La Salle in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament had no shortage of on-court antics and drama.
At the forefront of the highly entertaining clash was a pair of MVPs in NU’s Bella Belen and La Salle’s Angel Canino.
Belen and the Lady Bulldogs got the last laugh, outduelling the Lady Spikers, 25-19, 22-25, 25-20, 25-18, to stay unblemished after eight games.
READ: UAAP: Bella Belen downplays MVP talks, locks in on NU repeat bid
Bella Belen talks about her on-court swag. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/aOK07ZUJxK
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 23, 2025
“Ako kasi, kapag nilabas ko kung ano yung ako maglaro, dun ko nakikita na para nagaganahan yung team kasi sa training ganto ako eh. Sa training [inaasar] ko yung teammates ko, pati yung coach namin, yung assistant namin kasi nakikitraining sa amin yun. Bale parang [nagaasaran] kami. So, parang normal lang naman sa amin kasi parang, dun namin na-e-express yung paano namin ma-enjoy yung laro,” Belen said.
“Yung swag, kasi siguro nadala lang ng emosyon. Kasi sobrang tight nga nung game kanina and ayun, I’m very happy naman kasi naaliw naman yung teammates ko sa mga pinag gagawa namin.”
Belen, who dazzled with 23 points and 17 excellent receptions, said her on-court antics were nothing personal and it’s just another way to pump up her game and raise her team’s energy.
The Alas Pilipinas spiker added that she always makes sure to stay focused on the team’s goal.
READ: UAAP: NU beats La Salle anew to go 8-0 in women’s volleyball
“Kapag inisip ko na ay kailangan ko bumawi ng swag, mawawala ako sa laro. Kasi ano pinunta mo dito? Mag-swag ka lang? Hindi para maglaro? Ako naman wala, ah okay, nag-swag sila sa amin. Cute. Okay lang kasi part naman yun naman ng game. Wala namang mali doon kasi ganon sila mag-celebrate,” Belen said.
“Kami, kung paano kami mag-celebrate, gawin lang din namin. Hindi naman nasa utak namin na every game kailangan mag swag, ganyan, hindi. Kailangan lang namin ilabas kung paano kami maglaro.”
Despite keeping their record pristine, Belen and NU want no letup.
“Alam ko po yung full capability ng team namin so I think meron pa kaming kayang gawin sa next few games namin and tulad ng sabi ni Lams (Lamina), medyo marami pa po kaming lapses na kailangan pa naming ayusin,” said Belen. “Bawi na lang kami next game and one game at a time, tatrabahuin namin kung ano yung sa tingin namin kulang sa laro namin ngayon.”
