PVL: Bella Belen upbeat on Capital1 additions ahead of All-Filipino

Capital1 Solar Spikers’ Bella Belen during a game against ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in the PVL Reinforced Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Bella Belen welcomed Capital1’s major recruitment coup ahead of the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference, which opens Saturday at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

Belen, the top overall pick of last year’s draft, said she can’t wait to play her second conference as a pro as she hopes to keep the Solar Spikers’ upward trajectory.

READ: PVL: Capital1 cashes in with 8-player haul 

“Of course, I’m really happy because the league has become more competitive, every team added new players,” Belen told the reporters in Filipino. “On our team, almost half of the roster is new, and I’m really happy about that. I know the players who joined us can really help the team. I’m excited about what I can learn from them and what we can bring into this conference.”

Capital1 surrounded Belen with veteran presence, signing Pauline Gaston, Shaya Adorador, and Jasmine Nabor from the defunct Chery Tiggo, former Alas and Choco Mucho middle blocker Cherry Nunag, ex-Akari Ezra Madrigal, Galeries scoring duo France Ronquillo and Ysa Jimenez, and libero Rachel Jorvina from Nxled.

“The new players adjusted well, so it doesn’t feel like a totally new environment,” she said.

Belen, who led Capital1 to the quarterfinals in the Reinforced Conference, braces for the bigger challenge of the All-Filipino after nine other teams also beefed up their respective roster during the break.

“It’s definitely a big challenge. Even if we’ve faced each other before, this conference is different because every team has really leveled up,” Belen said. “We’re giving our best in every training to improve our game and show a good performance this conference.”

The three-time UAAP MVP out of National University is also looking forward to going up against her Alas Pilipinas teammates like Jia De Guzman, who is returning to Creamline, and newest Choco Mucho star Eya Laure.

“I used to joke with them back when we were on the national team, telling them not to play if we ever faced each other,” said Belen. “I’ve been teammates with them for a long time, so I’m really excited to see how I’ll perform against them. I know them well, but every team has a different system, so I’m really looking forward to our matchup.”

Belen and the Solar Spikers kick off their campaign on February 3 against the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles.