SUPER rookie Bella Belen could hardly believe she had made the first-ever 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Star Game cast—and by the end of it, she was named Most Valuable Player.
Fresh off her PVL All-Filipino Rookie of the Conference and Best Outside Spiker honors, Belen delivered for Team Heart with 15 points in a breakout performance.
The Capital 1 standout admitted she never expected an All-Star selection this early in her career, saying she still has much to prove in the league. Still, she expressed gratitude to fans who recognized her hard work.
Sharing the court with seasoned stars like Alyssa Valdez, Myla Pablo, Jema Galanza, and Jia De Guzman, Belen embraced the learning experience.
“Of course, as a rookie, I don’t really see myself at that level yet. I feel like I still have so much to learn from them because even if I can keep up in terms of skills, what they bring to the court during a game is just different,” Belen shared.
Valdez, a Philippine volleyball icon, playfully cut her off mid-sentence, saying, “Bella, stop, you know.”
Belen continued by emphasizing how much she values the veterans’ presence and guidance.
“You can really see their veteran experience, especially from my perspective. I’m truly learning a lot from them. So, I’m just really thankful to be part of Team Heart,” she added.
Beyond her on-court performance, Belen also took on the role of a line judge during the event, cherishing the chance to connect with fans.
“We’re happy because we were able to interact with the fans. On our part, it’s really heartwarming to see them enjoying themselves,” she said. “So yeah, we’re very happy—especially me, because it’s my first time being teammates with Ate Myla and Ate Aly.”
Team Heart emerged victorious, taking home P100,000, while Team Hustle settled for runner-up honors along with a P50,000 consolation prize. NICOLE ANNE BUGAUISAN
