National University star Bella Belen knows what it takes to be an achiever after she was named the first-ever UAAP women’s volleyball Rookie-Most Valuable Player almost three years ago.

And now with the rise of another freshman in the collegiate league in Adamson's Shaina Nitura, Belen has a piece of advice: don’t put too much pressure on yourself.

“Kasi, ano siya, rookie pa lang siya. So, I think, hindi naman niya kailangan masyadong i-pressure yung sarili niya,” said Belen after the Lady Bulldogs’ demolition of University of the Philippines last weekend.

“Kasi, ‘yon, bata pa siya and first time niya sa UAAP collegiate. So, marami pa siyang pwedeng matutunan sa rito,” she added.

Indeed, if Nitura would bag the Rookie-MVP awards, she would be the third player in the distaff side to earn such a rare feat – next to Belen and Angel Canino who accomplished it in Season 84 and 85, respectively.

Those two also eventually won their respective championships in the very same year.

“So, I think, 'yon lang, huwag niya lang masyadong i-pressure yung sarili niya,” Belen continued “‘Yong Adamson, malaki naman po yung capability nila kasi malakas po silang team.” 

“I think, yun lang, huwag niya siyang ma-pressure masyadong sa sarili niya and… don't be too harsh on herself,” she added.

It can be remembered that Canino also tipped her hat to Nitura after they battled each other last month where La Salle blanked Adamson.

“Sobrang bilib ako sa kanya kasi antapang nya humarap kahit kanino, parang pag tiningnan mo sya, parang ‘di rookie,” said Canino.