Despite another explosive scoring night, Bella Belen made it clear that individual brilliance will not be enough.
After Capital1 fell in straight sets, 18-25, 24-26, 20-25, to the Creamline Cool Smashers in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Saturday, Belen candidly admitted that she needs more support from her teammates moving forward.
Bella Belen: Lone Bright Spot for Capital1
Belen was the lone Solar Spiker in double figures, finishing with 26 points built on 24 attacks, 1 block, and 1 ace. April Tapia had 4 points, while Leila Cruz and Sydney Niego added 3 apiece. Ezra Madrigal, France Ronquillo, Ysa Jimenez, and Cherry Nunag contributed 2 points each.
“Na-address siya kanina sa dugout. I mean, siguro concerning na siya since volleyball is a team effort. Hindi naman po siya isa lang, kasi hindi talaga mananalo kapag ganun po kalayo ‘yung agwat sa scoring,” Belen said after the match.
Still, she found positives in the loss. In the second set, Capital1 led by six points at 23-17 before Creamline stormed back to steal it, 26-24.
“May mga glimpse na lumaban kami against Creamline, kasi hindi po sila madaling kalaban. Siyempre, nagkaroon na sila ng maraming experiences; established na rin ‘yung connection nila sa isa’t isa,” she said.
“So I’m very happy din naman na kahit papaano, merong glimpse na lumaban ‘yung team, pero hindi kasi siya sapat. I mean, katulad ng second set, last two points na lang tapos nahabol pa kami ng Creamline.”
Bella Belen Calls for Accountability
For Belen, the issue now is accountability and chemistry.
“So kilala naman namin ‘yung Creamline. I mean, kilala natin lahat ang Creamline na kaya nilang habulin kahit gano’n kalayo ‘yung score. So, siguro sa part namin, kailangan meron kaming—’yun nga sabi ng coaches—accountability sa mga ginagawa namin. Kasi ayun, sayang, maraming panghihinayang this game na sana mas inayos pa namin ‘yung galaw namin,” she said.
But even in defeat, Bella Belen believes the Solar Spikers are far from their ceiling.
