Bella Belen remained positive after National University suffered its first Season 87 loss against the University of the Philippines in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament Wednesday, March 26.

The frontrunner for the Most Valuable Player award said the five-set defeat was a blessing in disguise as it motivated the team to continue improving despite previously riding an eight-game winning streak.

"May kaunting pressure,” said Belen after NU’s 26-24, 23-25, 17-25, 25-23, 15-12 loss to UP at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

“Siguro blessing in disguise na rin para mawala ‘yong pressure samin,” she added. "Mas magiging masipag kami sa training, ngayon natalo kami 'yong mindset nalang namin is kung paano kami babawi, paano kami babangon sa pagkatalo namin."

But according to Belen, Sherwin Meneses has always reminded the team to release any tension and must not submit to the expectations of the fans.

In their nerve-wracking duel, NU was able to buck a slow start with the two-time MVP Belen and Alyssa Solomon spearheading their offense to take the next two sets. Unfortunately, Nina Ytang carried the State U back and fired timely hits, finishing with a career-high 30 points to score the school's first win over NU since Season 81 or in 2019.

In the first round, NU rolled past UP, 25-13, 25-23, 25-22, last March 9.

“Masakit sya… pero napagusapan namin kanina na ‘di dapat kami nagpatalo ng basta-basta, dapat nilaban pa namin, kasi feeling ko kaya naming manalo [kanina] eh,” Belen continued.

“Sabi nga ni coach ‘yong ibang teams nga na maraming talo masaya [parin] eh, kami dapat positive parin kami kasi okay pa rin naman ‘yong standings namin eh,” she added.

NU tries to regain its winning form when it battles FEU this Sunday, March 30, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.