UAAP: Bella Belen eyes last title shot with NU Lady Bulldogs

MANILA, Philippines — Bella Belen has declared that the e UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament will be her swan song with the National University Lady Bulldogs.

In her fourth and final year in the league, Belen seeks to make the most of the Lady Bulldogs title-retention campaign.

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SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 volleyball tournament first round

“I’m so excited to play today because this is my final year with NU. Of course, we want to go back-to-back since we weren’t able to do it in Season 85,” Belen said.

“This time, the team’s mindset is different because defending the crown is harder than taking it. So we told ourselves that we need to be ready for the challenges that every team might throw at us, as well as the internal challenges.”

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The two-time UAAP MVP said she is still not giving thought about her future pro career with her sole focu on NU’s bid for a third title in four years.

“My mindset is to focus on the UAAP first. I want to finish my UAAP journey with NU on a high note before thinking about the future. For now, I’ll focus on the present,” she said.

UAAP Season 87 volleyball: storylines and games to watch out for

But heavy is the head that wears the crown as Belen and the Lady Bulldogs face higher expectations with Creamline grand slam coach Sherwin Meneses handling the intact squad.

“The pressure will always be there. But for us, it’s really about beating our own expectations, not what others expect from us,” Belen said. “I know myself, and I know my team. We just focus on getting better every day in training.”

But Belen believes their biggest strength will be their chemistry and familiarity with the intact core of Alyssa Solomon, Erin Pangilinan, Sheena Toring, Vange Alinsug, and Lams Lamina.

“We really see each other as family,” she said. “We didn’t lose any players, but it’s still a big challenge because this is the same team that won the championship last season. The challenge now is how we can surpass that performance and win the championship again this year.”

Belen opens her final season with NU renewing its rivalry against Angel Canino and La Salle on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.