Bella Belen’s winning legacy has been immortalized by National University.
National University will now have a lasting reminder of Bella Belen’s golden legacy as an all-time great Lady Bulldog.
Four months after her UAAP career came to a close, Belen rewrote the history books for one final time with National U as she became the first-ever student athlete in school history to have her jersey number retired.
The poignant tribute was made official on Thursday, September 4, during NU’s pep rally for UAAP Season 88 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena Music Hall. In front of her fellow Nationalians, Belen stood proudly on stage with her signed jersey as she was accompanied by school and team officials.
“I’m really happy. Sobrang overwhelmed and honored na ako ‘yung kauna–unahang NU player na ma-retire ang jersey ko. Very unexpected siya, so ngayon I’m very happy talaga, hindi ko inakala na aabot sa ganito ‘yung career ko sa NU,” Belen said as her number 4 jersey will now hang high in the National U rafters.
It was the perfect gesture by National U to its homegrown superstar, who proudly represented the Blue and Gold with her trademark smile and killer instinct for over a decade.
Belen went on to become an eight-time UAAP champion and a five-time Most Valuable Player in her decade-long stay in Jhocson, being the unparalleled leader of the Lady Bullpups, and eventually, the Lady Bulldogs’ title runs in the UAAP volleyball tournaments.
The all-around hitter was also the UAAP’s first Rookie of the Year-Most Valuable Player in the women’s volleyball tournament, and the first three-time MVP since Ateneo icon Alyssa Valdez and FEU’s Monica Aleta.
Belen also joined FEU’s Rachel Ann Daquis (jersey number 3) and DLSU icon Manilla Santos-Ng (jersey number 14) to receive a jersey retirement in UAAP women’s volleyball history to further highlight her lasting impact as a student-athlete.
“I’m very thankful na sa NU ako nag–aral for almost 11 years, and syempre hindi ko siya pinagsisisihan. Ang laking help siya kung nasan man ako ngayon, kasi sobrang laking tiwala ang binigay sa akin,” Belen said as she was cheered on by the NU crowd at the SM MOA Music Hall.
Looking ahead, Bella Belen is set to make her debut in the Premier Volleyball League with the Capital1 Solar Spikers this October in the 2025 Reinforced Conference. The Lady Bulldogs, meanwhile, will continue their life without Belen and the Golden Generation with a new head coach in Regine Diego.
“I’m very excited na makalaro sa PVL kasi ‘yun nga, it’s my first time playing, and ako na lang ata ‘yung hindi nakakalaro. So ayun, I’m very excited na mapakita kung ano ‘yung napagtrabahuhan ng Capital1.”
Images courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.
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