Bella Belen’s brilliance puts NU one win from greatness

In a finals stage filled with legacy, rivalry, and pressure, the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs once again proved why they are not just the defending champions — they are the team built to handle the weight of expectation.

Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball Finals wasn't just a rematch; it was the continuation of a storied trilogy between NU and De La Salle University. And just like a gripping final chapter, NU made their message clear: this crown isn’t up for grabs — not yet.

Facing the same De La Salle team that dethroned them in 2023, the Lady Bulldogs took the court with purpose and poise.

Led by Vange Alinsug’s 21-point explosion and Bella Belen’s all-around brilliance — 19 points, 15 digs, and 10 excellent receptions — NU carved out a convincing 25-17, 25-21, 13-25, 25-17 win at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

This isn’t just about numbers. It’s about mindset — and no one embodies that more than Belen.

Just two days before the Finals opener, Belen graduated with a degree in Psychology from NU. For most student-athletes, that would be the highlight of their week — but not for Belen, who followed it up by leading her team to a Finals Game 1 win in front of more than 15,000 fans.

Graduating, she said, was “the greatest gift” she could give herself and her family. But on the court, her education gave her something even more powerful: a deeper understanding of people. 

“Psychology helps me understand my teammates better — who needs encouragement, who needs space. It also helps me stay composed during tight games. I don’t panic. I try to find solutions,” she explained.

And that is exactly what NU did in Game 1. After dropping the third set, they didn’t fold, they adapted. Belen called it her proudest moment of the match: “I’m super proud of my teammates for bouncing back after that third set. La Salle is strong, and we knew they’d fight.”

The Finals series, now led 1-0 by NU, feels like more than a volleyball match. It's a collision of two dynasties: NU, with its rising leadership under first-time UAAP Finals coach Sherwin Meneses, and La Salle, with its legendary tactician Ramil de Jesus making his 21st finals appearance. That chess match alone is worth the price of admission.

But what makes NU especially dangerous this year is their balance — veteran poise from Belen, youthful fire from Alinsug, and the quiet, steady guidance from the bench. Coach Meneses acknowledged that while the plan is always “one point at a time,” doing that against a program like La Salle is never easy.

And yet, NU has made it look that way, not by overpowering opponents, but by outlasting them. By staying mentally sharp. By playing as one.

If Game 1 was any indication, the Lady Bulldogs aren’t just chasing another title, they are chasing a statement. That they belong at the top. That their journey of ups, downs, and growth is more than enough to cement a legacy.

“This would definitely rank at the very top for me,” Belen said, when asked what back-to-back titles would mean. “This season hasn’t been easy. We’ve had challenges. So if we win this one, it would mean everything.”

The job isn't done — not yet. La Salle is still La Salle, and Game 2 is never a formality. But after watching Belen graduate off the court and dominate on it, and after seeing NU’s chemistry shine when it mattered most, one thing is clear:

The Lady Bulldogs aren’t just defending a title — they’re building a dynasty.