PVL: Bella Belen takes in many lessons from loss to PLDT
Capital1’s Bella Belen tries to score in between two PLDT blockers during their game in the PVL Reinforced Conference.–PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — In a One Sports’ Ask Me Anything session on Reddit eight months ago, Bella Belen gamely answered PLDT when asked which among the PVL clubs she fancies playing for if there was no rookie draft.
Of course, Bellen ended up playing for Capital1, which drafted her first overall last June. On Monday, the former National University star faced the High Speed Hitters for the first time in the PVL Reinforced Conference and got to test her mettle against them in her official debut.
READ: PVL: PLDT off to rousing start with sweep of Capital1
Bella Belen after Capital1’s tough loss to PLDT. #PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/q3oax1cx2j
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) October 13, 2025
The Solar Spikers may have gotten swept by the High Speed Hitters, but Belen won’t go home empty-handed despite the loss.
“I’m honestly very happy, even though I didn’t end up on their team, I got to play against them. I learned a lot from that game. Things I can work on and apply in the next one. It felt kind of surreal since I’m close with some of their coaches and players,” said Belen, who had 13 points and nine digs in the 25-22, 25-20, 25-23 defeat, in Filipino.
PLDT, which is gunning for a third consecutive title after perfect campaigns in the PVL On Tour and Invitational, gave Belen a rude welcome to the league and it was also what the 23-year-old outside spiker was expecting against a red-hot squad with high aspirations.
“I expected this, especially since a lot of the players here are tall, and PLDT is really known for their blocking, even in past conferences. So again, it’s on me to learn how to adjust. I felt like I adjusted my attacking style too late. That’s something I need to fix for next time,” said Belen.
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“I need to start reading the defense right from the beginning of the match, know when and where to hit. Because teams now adjust super fast.”
With a big target on her back, Belen embraces the challenge as she transitions from dominating the UAAP to finding her footing in the pros.
“It’s a challenge for me, especially as a rookie. I need to raise my level of play because PVL isn’t easy. All the teams do their scouting, there’s a lot of data on us. So it’s really up to me how I challenge myself and how I adjust during games,” she said.
“I feel like we could’ve done better. We had a real chance in that game, we could’ve pushed it further. Especially in the last set, I saw some moments where our team really could’ve taken control. But we fell short. And credit to PLDT, they played really well. They read us perfectly, especially their blocking.”
Belen and the Solar Spikers aim to bounce back against the Nxled Chameleons on Thursday, still at the Big Dome.
