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Tag: Capital1 Solar Spikers

  • “I want to help build the team”: Vanie Gandler explains decision to join Capital1 Solar Spikers 

    “I want to help build the team”: Vanie Gandler explains decision to join Capital1 Solar Spikers 

    The Capital1 Solar Spikers made one of the most significant roster shake-ups in recent Premier Volleyball League (PVL) history on Thursday, May 14, dramatically reshaping their lineup and signaling a clear shift from a developing squad into a win-now contender ahead of the upcoming season.

     

    The franchise secured the services of former Cignal Super Spikers standouts Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos, while also reinforcing its playmaking department with veteran setter Jaja Santiago. The aggressive recruitment drive underlines Capital1’s intent to immediately compete with the league’s elite after previously operating as a rebuilding team.

     

    At the center of the transformation is Gandler, who arrives at Capital1 fresh off the most productive conference of her professional career. The 25-year-old broke out as one of the PVL’s premier attackers, guiding Cignal to its first-ever All-Filipino Finals appearance and nearly steering the squad to a championship upset against perennial powerhouse Creamline. Her standout campaign was capped by the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference Most Valuable Player award, the first major individual honor of her career.

     

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    Gandler spoke candidly about her decision to join Capital1, citing the team’s steady growth and organizational direction as key factors in her move.

     

    “When I was thinking of a team to join, I always felt that I fit best in Capital1 for some reason. Playing on the other side of the court against them, I saw the growth of the team in the two years that Capital1 has been in the PVL. I saw the potential that the team has because I can see it in the way the team owners handled the team, with how supportive they are with the way they communicate with their players,” Gandler said in her welcome press conference.

    “I wanted to join a team where I’m not just a missing piece, I wanted to be there to build a team with them, to help them write a story,” she added.

     

    Her arrival also creates a formidable attacking duo alongside fellow Alas Pilipinas standout Bella Belen, forming one of the most promising wing combinations in the PVL. The pairing gives Capital1 a rare blend of explosiveness and versatility, featuring two of the league’s most decorated young stars in the reigning MVP and Rookie of the Conference.

     

    Despite the heightened expectations, Gandler emphasized her commitment to growth and process over immediate pressure.

     

    “There may be high expectations but like always, my focus is just on today. What I have to do today, the process of what I need to do next, so I’m definitely gonna take what I learned over the past years and try to share it with the team, but not put too much pressure on myself that I have this expectation. I know that I still have so much to learn. And I know that I can learn so much from this new team, new people, new perspectives, so I’m very excited to still keep improving,” she continued.

     

    Capital1’s aggressive roster overhaul signals a clear change in trajectory, opting to accelerate its competitive timeline by surrounding its young core with proven talent capable of contending immediately. After acquiring two of the most sought-after players in the league following Cignal’s leave of absence, the Solar Spikers have positioned themselves as a legitimate threat in the PVL hierarchy.

     

    “Our goal is to focus on the process and I have no doubt that this team will really focus on the process and get there one step at a time. In my recent years of volleyball, I really fell in love with the process and everything I learned getting to that championship. The timeline to that championship, I’m not sure, but I know one day we will get there, but for now we are just gonna enjoy what we are doing and enjoy building this team together,” Gandler concluded.

     

    With the arrival of Gandler and Santos alongside a strengthened core led by Belen, Capital1 has transformed from a rebuilding side into one of the PVL’s most intriguing dark horses. While chemistry will take time to develop, the Solar Spikers now possess the star power, depth, and potential firepower to challenge established contenders—setting the stage for a season that could redefine the franchise’s direction in Philippine volleyball.

     

     

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  • “I really manifested and prayed for it talaga na may makuha kami from Cignal”: Bella Belen on Capital1 signing two key Cignal players 

    “I really manifested and prayed for it talaga na may makuha kami from Cignal”: Bella Belen on Capital1 signing two key Cignal players 

    What started as playful talk during All-Star festivities has now turned into one of the biggest offseason storylines in the PVL, as Capital1 Solar Spikers officially secured the services of former Cignal players, Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos.


    At the center of the moment is rookie star Bella Belen, who once jokingly expressed her desire to bring in Cignal players—and now finds herself not only playing alongside them again but also reuniting with familiar faces.

     

    Belen, along with Santos and Gandler, previously shared the court as teammates during the 2026 PVL All-Star, while the PVL star rookie and Gandler were also once teammates under Alas Pilipinas, making the Capital1 move feel more like a reunion than a fresh start.

     

    For Belen, what began as lighthearted “recruitment” during the All-Star break in Candon, Ilocos Sur has now evolved into a defining roster upgrade for Capital1 after Cignal’s leave of absence.

     

    “Ako talaga, I really manifested and prayed for it talaga na may makuha kami from Cignal with the likes of Ate Vanie and Ate Erika,” Belen said after the team’s press conference.

     

    She admitted she had already been pitching Capital1’s direction and long-term vision to the Cignal stars even during the All-Star festivities.

     

    “Like ano ‘yung platform, direction namin as a team, at sabihin sa kanila ano ‘yung gusto naming marating,” she said. 

     

    At the time, she even playfully pointed out how the All-Star jerseys suited the Cignal duo—an early hint of what would eventually become reality in the offseason.

     

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    Now, that moment has turned into one of the most impactful roster moves of the PVL break, immediately boosting Capital1’s competitiveness after a tough 2026 All-Filipino Conference campaign.

     

    Beyond the reunion narrative, Belen believes the arrivals of Gandler and Santos bring valuable playoff experience and leadership that the young franchise can build on.

     

    “Marami silang experience, nakapag-Finals na sila. So, I believe, marami silang pwedeng madala sa Capital1—and ganun din naman kami, marami kaming pwedeng matutunan sa kanila,” the 23-year-old Outside Hitter said.

     

    With a refreshed lineup and familiar chemistry already in place, Capital1 now heads into the new PVL season with renewed confidence, hoping that this blend of reunited teammates and rising stars can finally push the franchise into serious contention. 

     

     

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  • Capital1 fast-tracks title ambitions with blockbuster Vanie Gandler, Erika Santos signing

    Capital1 fast-tracks title ambitions with blockbuster Vanie Gandler, Erika Santos signing

    Capital1 is no longer building quietly.

     

    After spending its early PVL years trying to establish an identity, the young franchise has suddenly accelerated its timeline — and the rest of the league may now have to take the Solar Spikers far more seriously.

     

    In what instantly became one of the biggest offseason moves in recent PVL memory, Capital1 secured the services of former Cignal stars Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos, dramatically reshaping both its roster and championship outlook heading into the new season.

     

    The franchise also strengthened its playmaking department by adding veteran setter Jaja Maraguinot, further signaling that Capital1 is shifting from a developmental team into a squad aiming to contend immediately.

     

    The centerpiece of the transformation, of course, is Gandler.

     

    Fresh off the best conference of her professional career, the 25-year-old arrives in Capital1 carrying the momentum of a breakthrough season that saw her evolve from rising talent into full-fledged league star.

     

    Gandler powered Cignal to its first-ever All-Filipino Finals appearance earlier this year and nearly helped push Creamline to the brink during a fiercely contested championship series.

     

    Her stellar run ultimately earned her the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference MVP award — the first individual accolade of her PVL career.

     

    But perhaps more importantly, Gandler now enters a situation where expectations immediately become much bigger.

     

    At Capital1, she joins forces with fellow Alas Pilipinas standout Bella Belen, creating what could become one of the league’s most dangerous wing tandems.

     

    The partnership also gives the PVL a rare combination: the reigning MVP alongside the reigning Rookie of the Conference.

     

    Just as significant is Gandler’s reunion with former Alas Pilipinas head coach Jorge Souza De Brito, who once again gets the opportunity to maximize one of the country’s premier outside hitters.

     

    While Gandler headlines the move, Santos may end up becoming equally important to Capital1’s rise.

     

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    After years of searching for consistency early in her career, Santos finally found her rhythm with Cignal and blossomed into one of the PVL’s fastest-rising scorers.

     

    Her lone season with the Super Spikers became a breakout campaign, highlighted by a PVL on Tour MVP award and recognition as one of the league’s top opposite spikers.

     

    Now joining her third PVL team, Santos gives Capital1 another reliable offensive weapon while reuniting with fellow La Salle product Leila Cruz.

     

    The additions arrive at a crucial point for the Solar Spikers.

     

    Despite flashes of promise last season — particularly behind Belen’s emergence as Rookie of the Conference and Best Outside Spiker — Capital1 still struggled to consistently compete with the league’s elite.

     

    The team reached the Reinforced Conference quarterfinals but eventually finished eighth in the All-Filipino Conference after falling short in the Play-In stage.

     

    That reality appears to have fueled the franchise’s aggressive offseason approach.

     

    Instead of waiting years for gradual growth, Capital1 has chosen to accelerate the process by surrounding Belen with proven stars already capable of competing deep into the playoffs.

     

    And after landing two of the biggest names available following Cignal’s leave of absence, the Solar Spikers may have officially announced themselves as a legitimate threat to the PVL hierarchy.

     

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  • Sisi Rondina, Pauline Gaston star in beach volleyball showcase as Sipalay embraces BVR tour 

    Sisi Rondina, Pauline Gaston star in beach volleyball showcase as Sipalay embraces BVR tour 

    What unfolded in Sipalay over the weekend was more than just another stop in the Beach Volleyball Republic tour.

     

    It became a celebration of how far beach volleyball has grown in the Philippines.

     

    With fans crowding the shores of Poblacion Beach, national team stars and rising pairs delivered high-level matches that turned the BVR On Tour Sipalay Open into one of the liveliest events of the season.

     

    At the center of it all was the Alas Pilipinas tandem of Sisi Rondina and Dij Rodriguez, who  powered through a grueling women’s division en route to a perfect five-match sweep.

     

    The pair survived a tough challenge from Kat Epa and Kizil Quijote in the finals, recovering from a first-set loss to pull off a 19-21, 21-13, 15-6 victory.

     

    Before that, Rondina and Rodriguez also had to outlast fellow Southeast Asian Games gold medalists Sunny Villapando and Gen Eslapor in a hard-fought semifinal showdown.

     

    For Rondina, the atmosphere in Sipalay stood out just as much as the title itself.

     

    “Unti-unting nakikilala talaga ang beach volleyball sa Pilipinas. We are hoping na maraming liga na ganito. Hindi lang sa Sipalay, pati sa buong Pipinas,” said Rondina, who collected her sixth BVR On Tour title.

     

    Rodriguez, meanwhile, secured her fourth tour championship.

     

    The men’s division also produced a redemption story as Ranran Abdilla and Ronniel Rosales bounced back from an earlier elimination-round defeat to overcome Edwin Tolentino and Lerry Francisco in the finals, 21-23, 21-18, 15-7.

     

    The victory gave Abdilla and Rosales their second BVR title together this year after also ruling the Nuvali Open in March.

     

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    Beyond the championship matches, the tournament also highlighted returning and emerging partnerships.

     

    The Capital1 Solar Spikers duo of Pauline Gaston and Roma Mae Doromal impressed despite an early exit, earning praise after pushing veteran pair Bea Tan and Fille Cayetano in a competitive straight-set battle.

     

    “Actually we are very grateful sa experience na maglaro kami together. Nakakasabay kami sa level ng competition. Binigyan din namin ng magandang fight ang kalaban,” Doromal said.

     

    “Ang dami-dami naming natutunan and we are so excited for more BVR appearances,” she added.

     

    Gaston also credited Doromal’s leadership throughout their campaign.

     

    “Nakakapag-in game adjustment kami, which is I’m so proud naman. In game kami magde-decide na magba-block ako Roms (Doromal), anong gagawin naming defensive patterns. Yung mga strategies namin, nailabas which is I’m proud kasi. Siya (Doromal) ang nagiging coach ko, siya yung nagle-lead sa akin. I’m happy and that’s why she’s the Capital1 team captain, I let her lead and I trust her,” Gaston said.

     

    Even in defeat, Doromal appreciated the chance to share the sand with players they once only looked up to.

     

    “It’s a privilege talaga to play against them kasi mga idols po namin, nilu-look up po namin. I’m happy na nasa same court kami,” she said.

     

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  • Bella Belen shines in All-Star MVP night, credits veterans for lessons learned

    Bella Belen shines in All-Star MVP night, credits veterans for lessons learned

    The spotlight followed Bella Belen all night—but she spent most of it looking outward, not inward.

     

    Fresh off an MVP performance in the 2026 Volleyball All-Star Showcase, Belen delivered the kind of showing that typically signals arrival. She powered Team Heart to a four-set win over Team Passion, 25-18, 18-25, 25-23, 25-17, inside a packed Candon City Arena, sharing the court—and the moment—with some of the biggest names in the league.

     

    Yet even as she stood at center stage, Belen resisted the idea that the moment was about her.

     

    “Parang siyempre po as a rookie, hindi ko nilalagay sarili ko po sa ganoong bagay. Marami pa akong dapat matutunan from them,” she said.

     

    That mindset framed her performance in a different light. Instead of a breakthrough, it felt more like a checkpoint—a sign that she can compete at the highest level, but still sees distance between where she is and where she wants to be.

     

    Playing alongside veterans like Alyssa Valdez, Jia De Guzman, and Jema Galanza offered Belen something numbers and awards cannot measure. It gave her a closer look at the nuances that separate experience from potential.

     

    “Kahit na medyo nakakasabay sa skills, iba pa rin ‘yung binibigay nila pagdating sa loob ng game,” she said. “Kumbaga ‘yung pagiging veterans nila, nakikita talaga namin—lalo na ako.”

     

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    For a player who has already made waves as a Rookie of the Conference, that perspective is telling. Belen isn’t chasing validation—she’s chasing understanding. The All-Star setting, usually built for spectacle, became something more personal: a learning space.

     

    “Marami akong natutunan mula sa kanila, kaya I’m very happy to be part of Team Heart,” she added.

     

    Beyond the match itself, the experience stretched into something bigger than competition. The event brought players closer not just to each other, but to the fans who filled the arena, turning the showcase into a shared celebration.

     

    “Masaya po kami kasi nakapag-interact kami with the fans. Parang sa part namin, mas nakakatuwa makita ‘yung fans nag-eenjoy,” Belen shared.

     

    In a night designed to highlight stars, Belen stood out—but not because she demanded the spotlight. Instead, she embraced the moment as part of a larger journey, one where growth matters more than recognition.

     

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  • Bella Belen shines individually, eyes team breakthrough after missed playoffs 

    Bella Belen shines individually, eyes team breakthrough after missed playoffs 

    For most of her career, winning wasn’t something Bella Belen had to chase—it simply followed.

    From her dominant run with National University to her historic rise in the UAAP, the Finals had always felt like familiar territory. But in the pros, things changed quickly.

     

    Now with Capital1 Solar Spikers, Belen found herself watching the postseason from the outside for the second straight conference in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference—a position she had rarely experienced before.

     

    And yet, even without a playoff stage, she still managed to make her presence felt.

    Belen emerged as one of the brightest spots of the conference, claiming both Rookie of the Conference and Best Outside Spiker honors. It wasn’t the kind of success she had grown used to—this time, it came without a deep team run—but it spoke volumes about her ability to adapt and stand out regardless of circumstance.

     

    “Very unexpected siya for me,” Belen admitted.

     

    “Hindi ko naman na-expect na magkaka-awards ako pero siyempre, thankful and I’m very happy.”

    For a player who has already achieved so much at a young age, the recognition carried a different meaning. It wasn’t about validation—it was about reflection.

     

    “These awards parang bonus sa lahat ng paghihirap na ginagawa ko for my team,” Belen uttered.

    That mindset reveals where she is in her journey now—caught between personal milestones and the bigger goal she has always been used to chasing: team success. 

     

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    Because while the awards highlight her individual impact, they also serve as a reminder of what’s missing.

     

    “Hopefully, it turns to team success next conferences. Mas nakaka-motivate na magtrabaho pa ng triple, hindi lang special awards yung makuha ko kundi buong team,” said the 2025 No. 1 overall pick.

     

    It’s a different kind of hunger for Belen, one shaped not by maintaining dominance, but by trying to build it again in a new environment.

     

    Watching from afar only added to that drive. Seeing former teammates like Jennifer Nierva and others compete on the biggest stage reminded her of what she’s working toward.

     

    “Ang saya talaga maglaro lalo na ‘pag yung game is for finals,” she shared.

     

    “Hopefully, maranasan ko naman siya dito.”

     

    There’s no frustration in her words—only patience and determination. Because for Belen, this phase isn’t a setback. It’s a reset.

     

    And if her rookie season proved anything, it’s that even in unfamiliar territory, she continues to find ways to rise—this time, not just for herself, but for something bigger still waiting to be built. 

     

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  • Bella Belen bags two awards in PVL AFC Awards Night

    Bella Belen bags two awards in PVL AFC Awards Night

    It was supposed to be a night celebrating the best of the league—but in the end, it felt like the arrival party of Bella Belen.

     

    The young star stamped her class in her very first professional conference, walking away with not one but two major honors in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Awards Night—Rookie of the Conference and Best Outside Spiker.

     

    And she didn’t win them quietly. Belen finished third in scoring with 218 points built on 199 attacks, eight blocks, and 11 aces, immediately proving she could carry a heavy offensive load. But what made her campaign stand out even more was her versatility.

     

     She ranked fourth in both spiking efficiency (35.16%) and serving (0.31 aces per set), while also showing elite floor instincts—second in receiving efficiency (40.84%) and sixth in digging (3.06 per set).

     

    For a rookie, those numbers don’t just impress—they shift expectations. Her rapid rise gives the Creamline Cool Smashers another dangerous dimension moving forward, adding youth and all-around reliability to an already stacked roster.

     

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    While Belen headlined the night, several other standouts carved their own moments.

     

    Vanie Gandler emerged as the conference’s Most Valuable Player, leading the Cignal Super Spikers with steady, high-level play throughout the tournament. Meanwhile, Bernadeth Pons delivered when it mattered most, earning Finals MVP honors after steering Creamline to the championship.

     

    The league’s best in each position also reflected its growing depth: Gel Cayuna controlled the tempo as Best Setter, Brooke Van Sickle joined Belen as Best Outside Spiker, while Mikaela Panaga and Riza Nogales anchored the middle. Trisha Tubu and Kath Arado rounded out the honors as Best Opposite Spiker and Best Libero, respectively. 

     

    Belen’s breakout isn’t just a personal milestone—it’s a signal to the rest of the league.

    With her ability to score, defend, and receive at a high level, she’s already playing like a seasoned pro. If her trajectory continues, she could quickly become one of the central figures in the PVL’s next era.

     

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  • Bella Belen and Capital1 teammates’ PBA appearance sparks buzz, but connections tell the real story

    Bella Belen and Capital1 teammates’ PBA appearance sparks buzz, but connections tell the real story

    It looked like a crossover moment fans didn’t expect—but one that quickly made sense the closer you looked.

     

    When Bella Belen was spotted at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium during a PBA Commissioner’s Cup game, attention shifted almost instantly from the court to the stands. The reigning volleyball star, seated near the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters bench, became an unlikely talking point in a matchup between Phoenix and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

     

    Adding to the intrigue, she wasn’t alone. Belen was seen alongside fellow Capital1 players Leila Cruz, Pia Abbu, and Pauline Gaston, as well as Galeries Tower’s Jules Samonte—turning the section into something of a volleyball cluster in the middle of a basketball night.

     

    When the broadcast cameras caught her on screen, Belen’s quick attempt to duck away only fueled curiosity further.

     

    The timing didn’t help quiet the noise.

     

    Fans had already begun linking her to Rain or Shine guard Andrei Caracut following a recent joint appearance at an event in Legazpi City—a trip that also included Adrian Nocum. With both Belen and Caracut now in the same venue, speculation came naturally.

     

    But according to Caracut, the situation was far less complicated than it seemed.

    “Nag-invite yung girlfriend ni Josh (David),” he said, pointing to a more grounded explanation behind the gathering.

     

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    That detail reveals a broader web of connections that stretches beyond headlines. Cruz, who was with Belen that night, is in a relationship with Rain or Shine player Joshua David. Gaston’s partner, meanwhile, is Phoenix’s Francis Escandor, while Samonte is linked to Rain or Shine’s Felix Lemetti.

    In other words, what looked like coincidence—or even intrigue—was simply a night shared among overlapping circles in Philippine sports.

     

    As for Belen and Caracut, the latter was quick to clarify the nature of their connection.

    “Friends. Nagsama kami sa Bicol, may guesting kami.”

     

    The trip itself seemed lighthearted, even memorable for its off-court moments.

    “Nakulitan kay Eric (Nanas),” Caracut added, referring to Rain or Shine’s well-known utility staff who joined the group during the Bicol engagement.

     

    In a sports landscape where stories often jump from speculation to assumption, this one turned out to be something simpler: a reminder of how interconnected athletes can be, even across different leagues.

     

    And for one night, it just so happened that those connections gathered in the same seats—right where everyone could see them.

     

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  • Bella Belen finds pickleball reset amid volleyball duties with Capital1

    Bella Belen finds pickleball reset amid volleyball duties with Capital1

    Bella Belen shared how pickleball has become her go-to outlet away from volleyball, helping her stay mentally refreshed while also sharpening parts of her game.

     

    For Bella Belen, recovery does not always mean rest. Sometimes, it means picking up another racket.

     

    As the demands of professional volleyball continue to grow, the Capital1 Solar Spikers star is learning that staying at her best is not just about training harder or getting more reps in the gym. It is also about finding space away from the sport — something that allows her to breathe, reset, and return with a clearer mind.

     

    That space, lately, has come in the form of pickleball.What began as a passing curiosity on social media has quietly turned into one of Belen’s favorite ways to decompress, especially after long stretches of training and competition.

     

    “Last year kasi, parang dumadaan na siya sa feed ko na maraming naglalaro ng pickleball. Sabi ko, gusto ko rin itong i-try pero that time, wala akong kakilala. Wala akong friends na naglalaro ng pickleball,” Belen shared during the PVL’s Media Day.

     

    “Tapos this year, nakita ko na may mga friends ako naglalaro ng pickleball. Ayun, sabi ko, i-try ko, then doon nagsimula lahat.”

     

    For an athlete whose routine has long revolved around volleyball, the appeal was not just the game itself — it was what the game offered outside of competition.

     

    Belen admitted that when everything starts to revolve around volleyball, the pressure can build faster than people realize. Bad training days, frustrating performances, and the natural weight of expectations can easily stay with a player long after practice ends.

     

    That is where stepping away, even briefly, has made a difference.”Feeling ko kasi, pag puro volleyball nalang isipin ko, mas lalo akong ma-stress and mas clouded ‘yung utak ko, lalo na siguro if may days na pangit ‘yung training or pangit ‘yung game ko, so mas lalo ko siyang i-overthink,” she said.

     

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    “Maganda rin siguro may hobbies outside volleyball para mas stress-free.” More than just a distraction, pickleball has become a way for Belen to mentally hit reset.

     

    The shift in environment — from teammates and team systems to a completely different set of people and a more relaxed setting — has given her a kind of break that volleyball itself cannot always provide.

     

    “Kasi, siyempre, iba naman ang kasama ko—hindi teammates ko—so new environment naman,” Belen shared.

     

    “Ayun, very refreshing siya every time maglalaro ako ng pickleball. Parang na-reset ‘yung utak ko pag naglalaro ako ng pickleball, then volleyball naman.”

     

    That sense of balance may be one of the more important adjustments Belen is making as she continues settling into the professional ranks.

     

    For years, she has been defined by winning, consistency, and the pressure that comes with being one of the country’s brightest volleyball stars. But life as a pro is teaching her that performance is not just built during training sessions and matches — it is also shaped by how well an athlete manages everything in between.

     

    And interestingly enough, the sport she picked up for fun may also be helping her game.Belen sees familiar demands in pickleball, particularly in the way it forces quick movement, coordination, and fast reactions — all of which translate naturally to volleyball.

     

    “Sa pickleball kasi need mabilis footwork and coordination mo. So, I think natutulungan niya ako since sa volleyball need mabilis na reaction since mabilis ‘yung bola,” Belen explained.

     

    “Medyo napagtutugma ko naman sila at hindi ako nalilito sa rules. Hindi ko pa sila namimix-and-match. May tulong din naman si pickleball sa volleyball,” she laughingly added.

     

    Now with her 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference campaign behind her, Belen has a small but meaningful window to recharge.

     

    And for one of Philippine volleyball’s busiest stars, that reset no longer comes from doing less. Sometimes, it comes from playing something else.

     

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  • Bella Belen laughs off fan vote surge, embraces growing star power ahead of PVL All-Star Showcase

    Bella Belen laughs off fan vote surge, embraces growing star power ahead of PVL All-Star Showcase

    Bella Belen has spent most of her volleyball life winning matches, collecting awards, and proving she belongs on the biggest stage.

     

    Now, she is learning what comes with that kind of rise: a fanbase that shows up just as hard as she does.

     

    As voting intensifies for the upcoming PVL All-Star Showcase, the Capital1 rookie has become one of the most talked-about names in the race for a starting spot — and in typical Bella fashion, she chose to meet the moment with humor first.

     

    “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.

     

    The joke landed the way many things involving Belen usually do — naturally, lightly, and with the kind of charm that has helped make her one of the easiest stars in Philippine volleyball to root for.

     

    But behind the playful answer is a reality that has become harder to ignore: Belen’s popularity is no longer just a reflection of what she did in college.

     

    It is now following her into the pros.

     

    After building one of the most decorated careers in UAAP women’s volleyball history with National University, Belen entered the Premier Volleyball League carrying enormous expectations. Instead of shrinking under them, she turned her rookie conference into a statement.

     

    The No. 1 overall pick of Capital1 finished the preliminary round as the league’s Best Scorer with 218 points, powered by 199 attacks, eight blocks, and 11 aces — numbers that quickly validated why the Solar Spikers chose to build around her.

     

    Capital1’s campaign ultimately ended in the Play-In against Galeries Tower, but Belen’s individual impact was already impossible to miss.

     

    That is what makes her current All-Star push feel less like a popularity spike and more like the natural next step of a player whose profile has only continued to grow.

     

    She may no longer be eligible for the conference MVP race due to the league’s long-standing rule limiting consideration to players from the top four teams, but Belen remains a strong contender for Rookie of the Conference — another sign that her first PVL run was not just promising, but highly productive.

     

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    Still, for Belen, the strongest takeaway from all the support is personal.

     

    “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.

     

    That appreciation has shown up clearly in the All-Star returns.

     

    The 23-year-old remains firmly in the mix for a starting outside hitter role for Team Heart in the May 1 showcase at Candon City, sitting at 16.03 percent of the vote and staying on track to claim the second open spiker spot.

     

    Creamline veteran Jema Galanza has surged into the top position with 27.15 percent, while fellow three-time UAAP MVP Alyssa Valdez trails just behind Belen at 15.48 percent.

     

    Even in a field packed with established names and fan favorites, Belen has managed to hold her ground — another reflection of how quickly she has earned both respect and visibility at the pro level.

     

    And while the fan voting has brought another layer of excitement, Belen’s anticipation for the All-Star event goes beyond the recognition.

     

    For her, the bigger draw is the chance to share the court with players she has long admired from afar.

     

    “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.”

     

    That outlook says as much about her as the numbers do.

     

    Even after winning three UAAP titles, three MVPs, becoming the first rookie MVP in league history, having her No. 4 jersey retired by National University, and being named the Philippine Sportswriters Association’s Miss Volleyball after a standout 2025, Belen is still approaching moments like this with the curiosity of someone who feels she still has more to learn.

     

    That mindset may be one reason why her rise has felt so sustainable.

     

    She already has the résumé. She clearly has the game. And now, more than ever, she also has the crowd behind her.

     

    The PVL All-Star Showcase may only be an exhibition.

     

    But for Bella Belen, it is also becoming another reminder that her reach in Philippine volleyball is getting bigger by the day.

     

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