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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Volleyball devider Norman Miguel lauds Bella Belen's maturity as NU seeks redemption

Norman Miguel lauds Bella Belen's maturity as NU seeks redemption

Published Feb 25, 2024 07:17 am

At A Glance

  • National University head coach Norman Miguel expressed admiration for Bella Belen's maturity following the Lady Bulldogs' five-set victory over the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Saturday, Feb. 24. 

National University head coach Norman Miguel expressed admiration for Bella Belen’s maturity following the Lady Bulldogs’ five-set victory over the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Saturday, Feb. 24. 

The returning mentor had a tough start to his job following NU’s opening day loss against the heavy contenders University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses last week that saw the former rookie-MVP held to a limited offensive production. 

This time, though, the 21-year-old outside hitter shrugged off a two-set deficit and showed flashes of her old MVP form powered by maturity beyond her years in the extended match.

“Ang mindset ko nung fifth set dapat ipakita namin kung paano makukuha tong set na to and dapat hindi sila sa akin makakita ng takot. And ‘yung tiwala ko sa teammates ko na mapakita na kaya namin. And from that, susundan nila kung ano ‘yung ginagawa ko. Maganda natrabaho namin yung fifth set,” said Belen. 

 

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Bella Belen of NU. (UAAP Media)

 

In the fifth set, Belen accounted for five crucial points of the overall score to more than made up for her limited showing in the past game to eventually finish with 21 points that went with a huge defensive effort with 24 digs, something that NU will surely be needing deep into the season. 

“Nung dumating ako sa NU sobrang nakaka-amaze na sila. I admired ‘yung program kasi nga na-produce sila [Bella and other players]. So nung kinakausap ko si Bella, ang importante sa kanya ‘yung hindi siya susuko kasi siya talaga ‘yung nilalapitan, everybody’s looking up to her. So alam ko may pressure sa kanya ‘yun. Pero since mature nga siya, naha-handle niya. That’s it. Kaya proud ako sa kanya,” Miguel said. 

The Lady Bulldogs, who ended a 65-year title drought, fell flat in their championship defense against the De La Salle Lady Spikers. 

Looking at a seemingly competitive field early into the eliminations, Belen is hoping that her leadership would inspire her younger teammates to step up to the challenge. 

“Siyempre isa sa mga pinaghuhugutan ko o namin is ‘yung pagkatalo nung last game which is axgainst UST. Tapos mahirap ‘yung pinagdaanan namin ngayon. Pero I’m really happy kasi halos lanat ng nasa lineup nagamit,” said Belen. 

This, coming at the heels of losing their core players to graduation in Cess Robles, Jen Nierva and Joyme Cagande. 

Related Tags

UAAP Season 86 Bella Belen NU Lady Bulldogs
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