Summary
✓Reviewed by James Carter For three consecutive seasons of UAAP women's volleyball, one name repeatedly echoes at the SM Mall of Asia Arena: Mhicaela "Bella" Belen. In May 2025, the ace spiker of National University became the third in UAAP...
Table of contents
- 1 Who is Bella Belen and Why She is the Star of UAAP Volleyball
- 2 The History of Bella Belen’s Spotlight in UAAP Volleyball
- 3 The Domination of the NU Lady Bulldogs Over Many Seasons
- 4 The MVP Race of UAAP Season 87: Data and Statistics
- 4.1 How Statistical Points are Counted in UAAP Volleyball
- 4.2 Belen Against the Closest Rival: Shevana Laput of DLSU
- 5 The Historical Significance of Three MVPs
- 6 NU vs DLSU: The Hottest Rivalry in UAAP Volleyball
- 7 The Legacy of Bella Belen and the Future of NU Lady Bulldogs
- 8 The Overall Story of Domination: Key Lessons
- 9 Frequently Asked Questions About Bella Belen and NU Lady Bulldogs
- 9.1 How many times has Bella Belen won MVP in UAAP?
- 9.2 When did the NU Lady Bulldogs start dominating UAAP volleyball?
- 9.3 What are statistical points or SPs in UAAP volleyball?
- 9.4 Who is Belen’s closest rival in the UAAP Season 87 MVP race?
- 9.5 Who are the athletes comparable to Bella Belen in UAAP volleyball history?
- 9.6 What is next for Bella Belen after UAAP?
- 10 References
For three consecutive seasons of UAAP women’s volleyball, one name repeatedly echoes at the SM Mall of Asia Arena: Mhicaela “Bella” Belen. In May 2025, the ace spiker of National University became the third in UAAP history to receive her third Most Valuable Player award — an achievement that placed her alongside Alyssa Valdez and Monica Aleta as one of the most exclusive athletes in collegiate volleyball in the Philippines. Bella Belen’s spotlight in the story behind the NU Lady Bulldogs’ domination in UAAP volleyball is not just a tale of individual excellence — it is a narrative of the entire program.
Who is Bella Belen and Why She is the Star of UAAP Volleyball
Mhicaela “Bella” Belen is the ace spiker of the National University Lady Bulldogs who has grown to become one of the most recognized athletes in the history of UAAP women’s volleyball. She is not just a great player — she has served as the foundation of a dynasty. Before the start of UAAP Season 87, she was already a two-time MVP, and the question of the entire volleyball community was: could she achieve something as rare as this in Philippine collegiate volleyball?
According to BusinessMirror, Belen became “only the third player” to win three MVP awards in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament. That is not an ordinary achievement — it is proof of continuous excellence over many seasons, despite changing rosters, changing opponents, and growing pressure from her rivals.
The History of Bella Belen’s Spotlight in UAAP Volleyball
Bella Belen’s story at NU began in UAAP Season 84, where she won her first MVP award while leading the Lady Bulldogs to a championship sweep. That was the start of a pattern — the NU Lady Bulldogs not only won; they won with domination, and at the center of that domination was Belen. According to Spin.ph, Belen’s Season 86 MVP was her “second MVP in three seasons” — a formula of continuous excellence rarely seen in any collegiate sport.
In Season 87, Belen entered with new pressure: the possibility of a third MVP. According to Tiebreaker Times, even with two MVPs behind her, Belen remained focused on improving herself as new talents emerged in the league. “Leveling up” was her word — not leading and resting, but continuously striving for a higher level of play.
“Being MVP is not enough — the truth is I still need to keep growing, especially now that there are young players challenging to match me.” — Bella Belen, according to Tiebreaker Times
The Domination of the NU Lady Bulldogs Over Many Seasons
Bella Belen’s spotlight and the story of the NU Lady Bulldogs’ domination in UAAP volleyball cannot be explained without looking at the entire program. NU is not just a team with one great player — they are an organization that has built a culture of championship. According to reports from Philstar, NU remained undefeated at the end of the first round of Season 87 — a sign of collective strength, not just individual excellence.
NU’s system allows individual excellence to thrive within a well-organized collective. Belen does not have to do everything alone — her teammates are strong enough to support her, giving her the space to lead without being exhausted.
The MVP Race of UAAP Season 87: Data and Statistics
How Statistical Points are Counted in UAAP Volleyball
In UAAP volleyball, the MVP is not chosen based on a single excellence — the league uses a comprehensive system of statistical points (SPs) that covers scoring, serving, receiving, and defense. Because of this, a player must excel in many aspects of the game — not just one dimension. This is precisely why Bella Belen stands out: she is an all-around player capable in all areas.
Belen Against the Closest Rival: Shevana Laput of DLSU
According to data from Tiebreaker Times, at the end of the first round of Season 87, Belen led the statistical race with 159.6 SPs in seven games. Her closest rival, Shevana Laput of De La Salle University, had 157.692 SPs — a very small difference that shows how competitive the MVP race is, even in the face of Belen’s domination.
In a concrete example of her all-around game, Belen recorded 15 points and 13 excellent digs in a single game in the second round of Season 87. According to UAAP highlights, this double-double performance hit both offensive and defensive categories — a strong argument for her MVP candidacy.
| Player | Team | Statistical Points (1st Round, S87) |
|---|---|---|
| Bella Belen | National University | 159.600 |
| Shevana Laput | De La Salle University | 157.692 |
The Historical Significance of Three MVPs
The three MVP awards placed Bella Belen in an exclusive group. According to Rebanse, Belen joined the ranks of Alyssa Valdez and Monica Aleta as one of only three players in the entire history of UAAP women’s volleyball to win three MVP awards. Mentioning Alyssa Valdez — widely considered one of the greatest Filipino volleyball players of all time — provides context to the magnitude of Belen’s achievement.
Three MVPs in UAAP women’s volleyball — an achievement reached by only a few athletes in the entire history of collegiate league.
Comparing to Alyssa Valdez is not just praise — it is recognition of the level of historical significance Belen has reached at a very young age. For supporters of UAAP volleyball, Belen’s name is becoming as significant as the legendary names that popularized the game in past decades. It is also a central topic in discussions among volleyball enthusiasts after Season 87.
NU vs DLSU: The Hottest Rivalry in UAAP Volleyball
The domination of the NU Lady Bulldogs cannot be narrated without mentioning their rivalry against the De La Salle University Green Spikers. This is the fiercest matchup in current UAAP women’s volleyball — two programs with high levels of talent, strong competition culture, and deep emotional connections with their supporters.
In a landmark match on March 23, 2025, NU defeated DLSU in four sets, 25-19, 22-25, 25-20, 25-18, according to a report by Manila Bulletin. Even though NU fell in the second set, they managed to recover and control the game — a sign of their mental toughness and Belen’s leadership in crucial moments.
| Aspect | NU Lady Bulldogs | DLSU Green Spikers |
|---|---|---|
| UAAP MVP (Season 87) | Bella Belen | Shevana Laput (2nd) |
| 1st Round Standing (S87) | Unbeaten | Runner-up in standing |
| H2H Result (Mar 23, 2025) | Won (4 sets) | Lost |
| MVP Awards from S84-S87 | 3 (all by Belen) | 0 |
The Legacy of Bella Belen and the Future of NU Lady Bulldogs
At the end of UAAP Season 87, Bella Belen’s collegiate career as a Lady Bulldog has concluded — but her legacy remains. The three MVPs are just one number of her contribution: the true measure of her influence is the culture she left in the NU program, the standard of excellence she raised for future generations of Lady Bulldogs.
For fans of UAAP volleyball and those following the 2026 PVL Draft, the next question is: who is the next Bella Belen? The NU Lady Bulldogs will continue to seek new stars to maintain their status at the top of UAAP volleyball. And the volleyball community in the Philippines will be busy searching for the next star in the volleyball arena.
The Overall Story of Domination: Key Lessons
Bella Belen’s spotlight and the story of the NU Lady Bulldogs’ domination in UAAP volleyball provide several key lessons for supporters and analysts of Filipino volleyball. First, continuous excellence is harder than a one-time success — Belen consistently delivered over multiple seasons, even as rivals grew. Second, team building is as important as individual talent — NU does not rely solely on one player. And third, mental toughness is crucial: NU showed the ability to recover from setbacks, as seen in their four-set victory against DLSU.
As we look now at July 2026, the influence of NU’s Season 87 dynasty continues to be felt in the volleyball landscape of the Philippines. Players who grew up hearing Bella Belen’s name are now starting their own collegiate journey — and the foundations of excellence she laid remain an inspiration for them all. Both volleyball and other Filipino athletes on the international stage, like those featured in Filipinas at the 2027 World Cup, prove that the sports excellence of the Philippines continues to grow.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bella Belen and NU Lady Bulldogs
How many times has Bella Belen won MVP in UAAP?
According to Rebanse, Bella Belen has won MVP three times in UAAP women’s volleyball — in Seasons 84, 86, and 87. This made her only the third player in history to achieve such an impressive record, joining Alyssa Valdez and Monica Aleta in an exclusive group.
When did the NU Lady Bulldogs start dominating UAAP volleyball?
The NU Lady Bulldogs began showing a dominant presence in UAAP women’s volleyball when Bella Belen joined and excelled in their lineup. Their back-to-back championships in UAAP Season 86 and 87 solidified their status as the strongest program in the modern era of Philippine collegiate volleyball.
What are statistical points or SPs in UAAP volleyball?
Statistical points (SPs) are a comprehensive measure used by UAAP to determine the MVP of the volleyball tournament. It measures a player’s all-around performance in all aspects of the game — including scoring, serving, receiving, and defense. In UAAP Season 87, according to Philstar, Belen led the first round with 159.6 SPs in seven games.
Who is Belen’s closest rival in the UAAP Season 87 MVP race?
Bella Belen’s closest rival in the UAAP Season 87 MVP race is Shevana Laput of De La Salle University. According to Tiebreaker Times, at the end of the first round, Belen had 159.6 SPs while Laput had 157.692 SPs — a very small difference that shows the high level of competition in the league.
Who are the athletes comparable to Bella Belen in UAAP volleyball history?
The names often compared to Bella Belen are Alyssa Valdez and Monica Aleta — the two players who, along with Belen, make up the exclusive group of three-time MVP winners in UAAP women’s volleyball. Valdez is widely considered one of the greatest Filipino volleyball players of all time, so placing Belen in the same category provides a clear indication of her historical significance.
What is next for Bella Belen after UAAP?
After concluding her collegiate career at NU, the next step for Bella Belen is professional volleyball — likely in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) of the Philippines. Her three MVPs give her a high profile as the most sought-after prospect by many franchises. For those interested in the country’s volleyball landscape, they can also follow news about the Cignal Super Spikers and the future of PVL.
References
- Tiebreaker Times — Bella Belen’s legacy grows with third UAAP women’s volleyball MVP — accessed July 22, 2026
- BusinessMirror — Bella queen of UAAP women’s volleyball for record third time — accessed July 22, 2026
- Philstar — NU’s Belen leads UAAP volleyball MVP race — accessed July 22, 2026
- Tiebreaker Times — Two MVPs in, Bella Belen still leveling up with UAAP’s fresh blood — accessed July 22, 2026
- Manila Bulletin — Bella Belen of NU, Josh Ybañez of UST win MVP plums — accessed July 22, 2026
- Rebanse — UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball BY THE NUMBERS: Bella Belen Clinches MVP for the Third Time — accessed July 22, 2026
- Manila Bulletin — Bella Belen delivers as NU spikers trip DLSU — accessed July 22, 2026
