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John Bryan Ulanday - The Philippine Star
May 9, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — The only Rookie-MVP winners in UAAP history meet again.
National U’s Bella Belen and La Salle’s Angel Canino – the undisputed best collegiate players today – star in a blockbuster bill not only for individual supremacy but lasting legacy for their respective schools.
The super senior Belen wants no less than an explosive exit with a second straight championship and third overall while the third-year Canino seeks a second one starting on Sunday in Game 1 of the best-of-three titular showdown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Nandito na kami so ilalaban na namin,” said Belen, eyeing the team prize for NU in its fourth straight finals more than her individual glory that could propel her to the Mt. Rushmore of UAAP history.
Aside from a possible hat trick of championships, Belen is poised to win a second straight MVP and third overall to tie Alyssa Valdez for the most in the UAAP women’s volleyball ever.
She started her reign by becoming the first-ever Rookie-MVP in Season 84 when the Lady Bulldogs completed a 16-0 sweep highlighted by a win against La Salle in the finals to end a 65-year title drought.
Belen then bowed to Canino, the second Rookie-MVP in Season 85, and La Salle before NU gained redemption with a win over Santo Tomas in Season 86.
Another victory this season would cement Belen’s place in the list of the greatest UAAP players ever and would leave the NU dynasty intact under new coach Sherwin Meneses.
But she is not getting ahead of things.
“Pagdating po kasi ng finals, parang back to zero na po yung dalawang teams. Kung sino po ‘yung pinaka-gustong manalo, ‘yun ang mananalo. Sa akin po at sa NU ay marami pa po kaming dapat i-improve sa finals,” said the outside spiker, who has made each UAAP finals in her entire career.
“I start with pride. I think, pinaka-importante din talaga na papuntang finals, kailangan dala-dala ang pride,” said Canino, for her part.
