Amid Alas Pilipinas’ recent woes, Bella Belen kept strong belief

MANILA, Philippines — Amid Alas Pilipinas women’s recent struggles, Bella Belen never doubted the team’s capabilities, especially in getting through adversities.

Belen and Alas found themselves on the brink of a meltdown when Indonesia held multiple set points in the fourth set. But she, Alyssa Solomon, Eya Laure and Fifi Sharma, whose big block on Ersandrina Devega pushed Alas to match point, 32-31, before the latter committed an attack error.

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Alas earned a breakthrough silver medal in the SEA V Cup Leg 2 after finishing with back-to-back wins capped by a 25-13, 23-25, 25-19, 33-31 triumph over Indonesia on Sunday at Chiang Mai Stadium in Thailand.

“We were really prepared for this game because we had a chance to get the silver medal, and I believe in the team. I know that we can win this game, and I’m so happy that we won this game,” said Belen.

Belen, who delivered 17 points in their final V Cup game, has been a consistent scorer and steady floor defender for Alas since Leg 1.

The Philippines secured its best finish in the tournament, exacting revenge on Indonesia a week after the Indonesians ended Alas’ four-year bronze-medal streak and sent the Filipinos to a winless campaign in Leg 1 in Hanoi, Vietnam.

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“We know that Indonesia will play better against us because we lost the last game against them. So, we had a chance, we won already two sets, so it’s up to us if we finish the game early,” said the PVL Rookie of the Year from Capital1. “And I believe in the team, and I’m very happy. And I hope the Philippines is proud of us.”

The three-time UAAP MVP out of National University also relished the massive support Alas received from Thai fans throughout the three-day tournament.

“I really love the Thai fans because it feels like we’re playing in the Philippines. They always cheer for us, and they’re very welcoming,” said Belen.

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Alas heads home to continue its preparations for the Asian Games in Japan, which starts in September.