PVL: Bella Belen jokes about votes, thanks fans for All-Star push

Capital1 Solar Spikers’ Bella Belen is headed to her first PVL All-Star game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — When Bella Belen was asked about the massive fan support she has been receiving for the PVL All-Star Showcase, the Capital1 rookie had a playful answer.

“Malay niyo ako po yun. Charot! Nag-create ako ng accounts (Who knows, maybe it’s me. I created those accounts. Just kidding),” Belen said.

READ: PVL: Bella Belen disappointed but determined after Capital1 exit

That humor—along with her connection with fans—captures what makes Belen beloved. Not to mention her talent that fueled a storied UAAP women’s volleyball tournament career with the National University Lady Bulldogs, where she won three championships and three MVP awards, including a historic run as the first rookie MVP.

Belen, whose No. 4 jersey was later retired by NU and who was named Philippine Sportswriters Association Miss Volleyball after a banner 2025, is coming off her best Premier Volleyball League campaign yet.

She emerged as the preliminary round’s Best Scorer with 218 points built on 199 kills, eight blocks and 11 aces, though Capital1 Solar Spikers bowed out in the Play-In to Galeries Tower Highrisers.

The No. 1 overall pick of the Solar Spikers has a strong chance to win Rookie of the Conference, even though she is no longer eligible for the MVP award. Only players from the top four teams are considered, a rule long enforced by the league and other pro leagues across sports.

Kidding aside, Belen is grateful for the fans who have been supporting her and voting for her for a possible starting role for Team Heart in the PVL All-Star Game on May 1 in Candon City.

“I’m really happy because people are seeing how I’ve been playing this conference in the PVL, what I can contribute and share with the fans,” Belen said in Filipino.

Voting tally

Capital1’s Bella Belen celebrates a point against Creamline in the PVL All-Filipino Conference.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

The 23-year-old Belen, who was the leading candidate for the outside hitter position for Team Heart during the first returns, is still on track to start as the second open spiker with 16.03 percent of votes. Creamline’s Jema Galanza suddenly surged to the top with 27.15 percent of the votes.

Belen leads her fellow three-time UAAP MVP Alyssa Valdez, who slid to third with 15.48 percent.

Cignal’s rising star Erika Santos, who won the PVL on Tour MVP, took a commanding 44.57 percent of the votes for the starting opposite spiker position, leading Farm Fresh’s Ara Galang (27.11 percent), whom Belen considers as her idol.

Jeanette Panaga of the Cool Smashers retains the top spot for the middle blocker race with 33.39 percent, while Nxled’s two-time Finals MVP Phillips, who ranked fifth in the first returns, jumped to second with 21.56 percent.

Belen’s Alas teammates, Akari libero Justine Jazareno continues to lead Team Heart with 50.48 percent, while Creamline’s Jia De Guzman remains the top setter with 79.91 percent.

While it’s an All-Star event, Belen is looking forward to building connections and learning from fellow stars.

“I’m also very excited to be teammates with players I haven’t played with before, especially my idols. It’s a different feeling when you actually get to share the court with them, even for a short time,” said Belen.  “I just want to absorb as much as I can from them. So I’m really excited to see what the final tally of the votes will be.”