UAAP: Bella Belen not frustrated by benching in NU’s win after ‘stiff’ showing

MANILA, Philippines – Bella Belen learned her lesson after her first scoreless game in National University’s comeback win in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Belen played only the first set and was benched for the rest of the victory over the University of the Philippines on Wednesday.

After going through a losing streak since high school after NU bowed out at the University of Santo Tomas last Saturday, the reigning Season MVP admitted he was eager to step back and play in unfamiliar territory.

“In the first set, we were very stiff and it’s our first time playing here in Araneta so we’re not used to the environment. We were very aggressive, that’s why we failed to prepare for this game,” Belen said in Filipino.

“We’re very excited. We’re not happy because we’re so focused on bouncing back [from our last loss] in the first set.”

The league’s first rookie MVP went scoreless in the first set and exited in a successful set along with senior libero Jennifer Nierva, who politely asked to leave the interview because she wasn’t feeling well.

Belen was the No.4 leading scorer in the league before this game, scoring a total of 48 points built on 39 attacks, six blocks, and three aces in the first three games.

NU coach Karl Dimaculangan said he had to make the necessary adjustments as two key members who were perfect last season struggled, resulting in more playing time for rookie spiker Vangie Alinsug and freshman libero Shara Jardio.

“If someone else can play better, that’s what we’ll use because we can’t stop now that the first half is over,” Dimaculangan said in Filipino. “All our players know that they have to perform and be ready for their teammates. So when one is struggling, we have players who are ready to step up.

The 20-year-old spiker didn’t get frustrated even after sitting on the bench and remained happy with his teammates, especially Alinsug, who stepped up with 13 points and 11 digs.

“I’m not [frustrated]. It’s all about patience. Also, I like Vangie because she performs well. And I know that he will deliver when he enters the court because, in training, we do situations like that when someone is inactive. That’s why our team knows what to do,” said Belen.

“I’m very happy with our team because from the second to the fourth set they bounced back and moved forward smoothly by executing their game plan,” he added.

Bella Belen on the game against UP: “The lessons we learned here, we have to take so that it doesn’t happen again in the next game.”

The reigning MVP was scoreless in the game after playing the first set. #UAAPSeason85 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/XtdxpcC3Vr

– INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) March 8, 2023

Alinsug said he was eager to step up for his teammates after seeing a shaky start that led to a first-set loss.

“We made a lot of mistakes to start the game. During the second set, we regrouped for our teammates by limiting our mistakes,” said the reserve rookie spiker. “We’re happy because we bounced back. But we know from this game we can do better going forward.

From their first loss since their 34-game winning streak back to the UAAP girls’ last game to their first scoreless game in the UAAP, Belen said their recent struggles will motivate them to play better in the upcoming games.

“It’s just a bigger motivation to focus on the game so we can do better next time,” he said.

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