Bella Belen wins second UAAP MVP in three seasons

NU Lady Bulldogs’ Bella Belen is now a two-time UAAP women’s volleyball MVP.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Bella Belen was crowned UAAP MVP for a second time hours before Wednesday’s Game 2 of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball Finals where National University is looking to complete its title redemption tour against University of Santo Tomas at Mall of Asia Arena.

Belen became the first NU women’s volleyball player to become a two-time MVP — her second top individual honor in three seasons.

The do-it-all outside spiker has joined an elite club of two-time UAAP MVPs with La Salle’s Desiree Hernandez and Aby Maraño, and an award shy of tying three-time winners Alyssa Valdez of Ateneo and Far Eastern University’s Ailyn Ege and Monica Aleta.

LIVE UPDATES: UAAP Season 86 volleyball Finals NU vs UST Game 2

Two years ago, the 21-year-old Belen made history as UAAP women’s volleyball tournament’s first-ever MVP and Rookie of the Year before completing the Lady Bulldogs’ 16-game sweep of Season 84 to end a 65-year title drought.

Belen has a chance to replicate that feat when NU tries to sweep UST in Game 2 for its second title in three years.

The NU star also got her second 1st Best Outside Hitter award, while UST super rookie Angge Poyos earned the 2nd Best Outside Hitter despite falling short of becoming the league’s third rookie MVP after Belen and Angel Canino of La Salle last year.

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

Poyos, though, earned the Rookie of the Year — the first Tigress top freshman since Eya Laure won the award in Season 81 five years ago.

The newly-crowned top rookie remains a game-time decision when UST tries to force a rubber match in Game 2 after she sprained her right ankle in the series opener on Saturday.

UST setter Cassie Carballo became the first Tigress to win the Best Setter award since Denise Tan in Season 69 last 2007, while captain Detdet Pepito won her second Best Libero award in a row.

Alyssa Solomon reclaimed the Best Opposite Spiker after losing it last year. It was her second UAAP individual award in three years.

Thea Gagate 1st Best Middle Blocker for the third straight season — the only player to achieve the feat so far since the UAAP awarding was based on position in 2019. University of the Philippines’ Niña Ytang was the 2nd Best Middle Blocker anew, winning the plum for back-to-back seasons.