Bella Belen admits lack of hunger from NU in loss to La Salle
In a stunning show of force by the Lady Spikers, the Lady Bulldogs were in for a mauling as they were bombarded in the first two sets by the La Salle offense led by Angel Canino and Fifi Sharma......»»
Volleyball MVPs Belen, Ybanez named UAAP Players of the Week
Leaders are expected to be counted upon when their teams need them the most, and that is exactly the role Bella Belen and Josh Ybañez filled as the crucial second round got going in the UAAP Season 86 volleyball tournaments......»»
Lady Bulldogs hungrier in 2nd round, says Bella Belen
Expect a more determined National University Lady Bulldogs as the second round goes on in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament, as they attempt to put their two first round losses behind them......»»
NU s Belen, Disquitado named UAAP volleyball week s best
National University dominated in the third week of the UAAP Season 86 volleyball tournaments — with both of their men’s and women’s teams sweeping their pair of games in that span — with Bella Belen and Jade Disquitado leading the way. .....»»
Belen asserts leader role in Lady Bulldogs win vs Blue Eagles
With their backs against the wall, the National University Lady Bulldogs turned to old reliable Bella Belen to finally notch their first win in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament......»»
Welcome UAAP super rookies Poyos, Dongallo
Young aces have taken UAAP women’s volleyball by storm in the last two seasons, with Bella Belen of National U and Angel Canino of La Salle making history as back-to-back Rookie-MVP winners......»»
NU Lady Bulldogs will get 8 slots on national volley team
At least eight players from National University will see action for the new Philippine women’s volleyball team set to participate in three international tournaments this year. Newly-appointed head coach Norman Miguel told Daily Tribune on Sunday that the team has already committed to the Philippine National Volleyball Federation’s call for the formation of a new national squad. The Lady Bulldogs, who finished runners-up in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85, have already withdrawn their participation in the coming Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals later this month. “We are not participating in the SSL Invitational because NU players committed to PNVF National Women’s Team tournaments this August,” Miguel said. Brazilian head coach Jorge Souza de Brito will select the Lady Bulldogs that will compose the majority of the national team competing in the two legs of the ASEAN Grand Prix in Da Lat, Vietnam and Chiang Mai, Thailand next month. The Nationals will also play in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Asian Sr. Women’s Championship in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand opening on 2 September. “It’s not the whole NU team. I think at least eight players from NU will be part of the National Team to play in the Grand Prix in Vietnam and Thailand and the AVC Asian Senior Women’s in Thailand also,” Miguel said. “But as of this time (we don’t know who will be selected yet), probably when we start the training that’s the time Coach Jorge and the other coaches will decide who will be included in the roster. But most probably it would include the core of NU’s first six.” UAAP Season 84 Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, setter Lams Lamina, Sheena Toring, Vangie Alinsug and Erin Pangilinan are expected to be included in the list of names for the national team. It will be the second time that the PNVF and NU will strike a national team partnership after the botched 2022 squad that was supposed to join the Asian Volleyball Confederation Cup which the country hosted last year. The federation released 12 of the NU players included in the 14-woman Nationals due to ‘commitment issues.’ Club team Creamline replaced the dissolved national squad. It is uncertain, however, if the new national team will also be representing the country in the Hangzhou Asian Games slated to run from 28 September to 8 October. The post NU Lady Bulldogs will get 8 slots on national volley team appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
La Salle s Canino, NU s Belen trade praises after UAAP finals tussle
All’s well that ends well between on-court rivals Angel Canino and Bella Belen as the former’s DLSU Lady Spikers emerged victorious over Belen’s NU Lady Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball finals......»»
NU, UST try to boost twice-to-beat chances
Defending champion National University and University of Santo Tomas would rather downplay the angle of a hyped-up rivalry and just focus on what’s at stake when they cross paths once again in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. Sharing the second spot with identical 9-3 win-loss records, both Final Four-bound squads have an opportunity to better their chances of claiming the last twice-to-beat advantage with a victory in their scheduled 11 a.m. battle. The Tigresses are on a four-game roll after five outings in the second round and are looking to take advantage of their momentum to complete an elimination head-to-head sweep of the Lady Bulldogs. UST was the last team to complete the Final Four cast after eliminating Far Eastern University from contention to join league-leading twice-to-beat De La Salle University and Adamson University in the next round. The Tigresses snapped NU’s 20-game winning streak that spanned three years in their first meeting in a thrilling come-from-behind fashion, 25-23, 27-25, 17-25, 22-25, 15-11, last 4 March. Head coach Kungfu Reyes knows that the Lady Bulldogs are out to exact revenge against them but he doesn’t want his players to get too emotional and lose focus. “We want to play volleyball and not play for the occasion. We can’t let the hype (of the game) get into our heads, otherwise, we’ll be overwhelmed,” Reyes said. “We must remain on target, on the dot, because NU surely will be.” Top Most Valuable Player contender Eya Laure, who dropped 28 points against FEU, Imee Hernandez, Regina Jurado and Milena Alessandrini will again be at the center of the Tigresses march to replicate their first round win over the Lady Bulldogs. But NU is far from the shaky team it once was. The Lady Bulldogs have also piled up four consecutive victories after their back-to-back losses at the hands of the Lady Spikers to end the first round and at the start of the second. NU has not dropped a set since then. Reigning MVP and last year’s Rookie of the Year Bella Belen acknowledges that the Lady Bulldogs are eager for payback but they need to keep their emotions in check. “We are really eager to get back at UST because they defeated us in the last round. But we need to be composed,” Belen, who had 21 points in a sweep of winless University of the East last Saturday, said. “We have to be relaxed. If we get overeager we risk committing errors.” Helping out Belen are Alyssa Solomon, Ces Robles, Vange Alinsug, setter Lams Lamina and libero Jen Nierva. Meanwhile, the sliding University of the Philippines and UE clash at 3 p.m. The Fighting Maroons are on a nine-game losing skid for a 1-11 card while the Lady Warriors try to barge into the win column after failing in their first 12 attempts. In men’s play, unbeaten NU (12-0) seeks to move closer to an outright Finals seat in a showdown against UST (10-2) at 9 a.m. while UE (4-8) looks to remain in contention for a semis seat when it clashes against UP (1-11) at 5 p.m. The post NU, UST try to boost twice-to-beat chances appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Lady Bulldogs maul Lady Warriors to clinch Final Four spot
Reigning MVP Bella Belen unleashed 21 points built off of 13 attacks, two blocks, and six aces as they became the third team to clinch a spot in the semis with a 9-3 slate......»»
Lady Bulldogs book semis seat
Games Sunday: (MOA Arena) 9:00 a.m. --- UST vs FEU (m) 11:00 a.m. --- UST vs FEU (w) 3:00 p.m. --- La Salle vs Ateneo (w) 5:00 p.m. --- La Salle vs Ateneo (m) Defending champion National University booked a Final Four seat after a cakewalk win, 25-5, 25-15, 25-13, over the hapless University of the East in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena. It took the Lady Bulldogs just 79 minutes to capture their fourth straight victory for a 9-3 win-loss record to climb to solo second spot in the standings. NU joined twice-to-beat league-leading De La Salle University (11-1) and Adamson University (9-4) in the next round leaving University of Santo Tomas (8-3) and Far Eastern University (6-6) scrambling for the last Final Four seat. Reigning Most Valuable Player and last year’s Rookie of the Year Bella Belen made a living on the service line, landing six of the Lady Bulldogs’ total 13 aces to finish with 21 points. Belen smashed 13 spikes and had two kill blocks while tallying six excellent receptions. Ten other NU volleybelles chipped in on offense as head coach Karl Dimaculangan had the luxury of fielding in all his available players. Alyssa Solomon had eight points while Vange Alinsug and Sheena Toring got six and five markers, respectively, for the Lady Bulldogs. NU opened its mauling with a 9-0 blitz in the opening frame, setting the pace for the clinical beating. The Lady Bulldogs outspiked the Lady Warriors, 34-17, and limited their errors to just 14. “We’re very happy we get to apply what we trained for, especially on service,” Belen said. “We minimized our errors and just stuck to our game plan.” The win also gave NU an added boost heading to its much-awaited rematch against UST, which snapped its 20-game winning streak in the first round, on Wednesday. UE remained winless after 12 starts. Van Bangayan led the Lady Warriors with seven points while Ja Lana had five. Meanwhile, the three-peat-seeking Bulldogs easily dismantled the Red Warriors, 25-16, 25-17, 25-20, to move within two wins from completing an elimination round for an outright Finals appearance. Buds Buddin and Nico Almendras led NU to its 12th win in as many games with 14 and 12 points, respectively, while Ken Malinis got 10 markers. Owa Retamar tallied 22 excellent sets for the Bulldogs. UE despite the loss remained in contention for a semifinals berth albeit already on the brink of elimination with a 4-8 slate. Giles Torres had eight points while Joshua Pozas got seven for the Red Warriors. The post Lady Bulldogs book semis seat appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
UST’s Hernandez is UAAP Player of the Week
UST’s Imee Hernandez imposed her will in the middle in a rock-solid performance to power her team against Ateneo de Manila University on Saturday, 16 April in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament at the PhilSports Arena. Hernandez punished the Blue Eagles with quick attacks and provided solid defense for the Golden Tigresses with her blocking. When the dust settled, Hernandez notched a career-best 24 points on 19 attacks, three blocks, and two service aces as UST stopped Ateneo, 25-22, 25-20, 27-29, 25-21. Scoring efficiently on a 19-of-31 attack clip, Hernandez helped lead the Golden Tigresses to their third straight win as they rose to an 8-3 win-loss card, tied with Adamson and defending champ NU at No. 2. Hernandez and company likewise strengthened their chances of finishing in the top two of the standings, which merits a twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four. With her strong outing, Hernandez earned the citation as the Collegiate Press Corps UAAP Player of the Week presented by San Miguel Corporation and Philippine Sports Commission with MNL Kingpin, Tinapayan Festival, and Jockey as minor sponsors. Hernandez bested other candidates like teammate Eya Laure, La Salle’s Angel Canino, Ateneo’s Faith Nisperos, and reigning MVP Bella Belen of NU for the citation handed out by print and online scribes covering the beat from 12-16 April. "'Yung mindset ko talagang gawin lang 'yung role ko, kung ano 'yung dapat kong gawin sa loob ng court and syempre ipakita 'yung maturity na dapat mayroon kaming mga seniors," said Hernandez. "Hindi titigil, hindi kami masa-satisfy sa ganito lang. Kailangan malampasan namin palagi. Sabi ni coach [Kungfu Reyes] kailangan everyday nalalampasan mo 'yung ginawa mo today." This marks the second week in a row that a Tigress won the weekly citation, as Laure earned the honor for the period of 29 March to 2 April, before the UAAP took a break for the Holy Week. The post UST’s Hernandez is UAAP Player of the Week appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NU boosts semis bid
Games Wednesday: (Mall of Asia Arena) 10 a.m. — FEU vs Ateneo (men’s) 12 p.m. — FEU vs Ateneo (women’s) 2 p.m. — La Salle vs Adamson (women’s) 4 p.m. — La Salle vs Adamson (men’s) Defending champion National University narrowed the Final Four race after a convincing win over Far Eastern University, 25-21, 25-14, 25-23, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City. The Lady Bulldogs assured themselves of at least a playoff for a semis seat with their third straight win that put them in a three-way tie at the second spot together with idle University of Santo Tomas and Adamson University with an 8-3 win-loss record. Alyssa Solomon showed the way in NU’s win that gifted league-leading De La Salle University an automatic ticket to its 13th straight Final Four appearance while booting out Ateneo de Manila University (4-7) of contention. Solomon, the reigning Best Opposite Spiker, dropped 18 points, including 17 attacks. “I’m happy with the result and, at the same time, we still have a lot to improve on. We should never be tired of learning. We also need to be confident every game,” Solomon said as she and skipper Ces Robles faced the media after head coach Karl Dimaculangan declined to grant an interview for the third straight time. Season 84 Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year Bella Belen got 14 points and accounted for 13 of the Lady Bulldogs’ 48 attack points while freshman Vange Alinsug chipped in with 12 markers, 12 digs and two excellent receptions. The Lady Tamaraws were pushed to the brink of elimination in the semis race as they slid to a 5-6 card but not after giving the Lady Bulldogs a scare in the third set. ‘I’m happy with the result and, at the same time, we still have a lot to improve on. We should never be tired of learning. We also need to be confident every game.’ FEU took a 23-21 lead on a Jovelyn Fernandez hit followed by a Solomon attack error. Back-to-back errors by the Lady Tamaraws tied the set at 23 before Belen and Robles sealed the sweep with consecutive attacks. Fernandez and Chenie Tagaod had seven markers each to lead the Morayta-based squad. The Lady Tamaraws still have an outside chance of making it to the semis if they win their last three games in the eliminations and pray that one from UST, Adamson and NU won’t reach nine wins to force a playoff for the last Final Four seat. FEU will face Ateneo, who missed the semis for the first time in 14 years, on Wednesday. In men’s play, three-peat-seeking and unbeaten Bulldogs grabbed a Final Four twice-to-beat advantage after beating the Tamaraws, 28-26, 25-21, 26-28, 25-23, for their 11th straight win. Buds Buddin led four other NU players in double figures with 24 points with all but one coming from attacks and had 22 excellent receptions. Nico Almendras and Kennry Malinis got 17 and 13 markers, respectively, while Obed Mukaba and Gerard Diao finished with 12 each for the Bulldogs’ 29th straight win overall since 2019. “It was a great game. Both teams gave their best, it’s just that we were able to exploit our advantage. Hopefully, we’ll be able to sustain our momentum in our next game,” NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin said. The Bulldogs’ win drew the team to just three more wins to complete an elimination sweep for an outright Finals berth. A sweep by NU will force a step-ladder semifinals. The post NU boosts semis bid appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NU boosts semis bid
Games Wednesday: (Mall of Asia Arena) 10 a.m. -- FEU vs Ateneo (men’s) 12:00 p.m. -- FEU vs Ateneo (women’s) 2 p.m. -- La Salle vs Adamson (women’s) 4 p.m. -- La Salle vs Adamson (men’s) Defending champion National University narrowed the Final Four race after a convincing win over Far Eastern University, 25-21, 25-14, 25-23, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City. The Lady Bulldogs assured themselves of at least a playoff for a semis seat with their third straight win that put them in a three-way tie at the second spot together with idle University of Santo Tomas and Adamson University with an 8-3 win-loss record. Alyssa Solomon showed the way in NU’s win that gifted league-leading De La Salle University an automatic ticket to its 13th straight Final Four appearance while booting out Ateneo de Manila University (4-7) of contention. Solomon, the reigning Best Opposite Spiker, dropped 18 points, including 17 attacks. “I’m happy with the result and, at the same time, we still have a lot to improve on. We should never be tired of learning. We also need to be confident every game,” Solomon said as she and skipper Ces Robles faced the media after head coach Karl Dimaculangan declined to grant an interview for the third straight time. Season 84 Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year Bella Belen got 14 points and accounted for 13 of the Lady Bulldogs’ 48 attack points while freshman Vange Alinsug chipped in with 12 markers, 12 digs and two excellent receptions. The Lady Tamaraws were pushed to the brink of elimination in the semis race as they slid to a 5-6 card but not after giving the Lady Bulldogs a scare in the third set. FEU took a 23-21 lead on a Jovelyn Fernandez hit followed by a Solomon attack error. Back-to-back errors by the Lady Tamaraws tied the set at 23 before Belen and Robles sealed the sweep with consecutive attacks. Fernandez and Chenie Tagaod had seven markers each to lead the Morayta-based squad. The Lady Tamaraws still have an outside chance of making it to the semis if they win their last three games in the eliminations and pray that one from UST, Adamson and NU won’t reach nine wins to force a playoff for the last Final Four seat. FEU will face Ateneo, who missed the semis for the first time in 14 years, on Wednesday. In men’s play, three-peat-seeking and unbeaten Bulldogs grabbed a Final Four twice-to-beat advantage after beating the Tamaraws, 28-26, 25-21, 26-28, 25-23, for their 11th straight win. Buds Buddin led four other NU players in double figures with 24 points with all but one coming from attacks and had 22 excellent receptions. Nico Almendras and Kennry Malinis got 17 and 13 markers, respectively, while Obed Mukaba and Gerard Diao finished with 12 each for the Bulldogs’ 29th straight win overall since 2019. "It was a great game. Both teams gave their best, it’s just that we were able to exploit our advantage. Hopefully, we’ll be able to sustain our momentum in our next game," NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin said. The Bulldogs’ win drew the team to just three more wins to complete an elimination sweep for an outright Finals berth. A sweep by NU will force a step-ladder semifinals. The post NU boosts semis bid appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Lady Bulldogs stop streaking Lady Falcons for back-to-back wins
The Lady Bulldogs, led by reigning MVP Bella Belen's 20 points, stamped class on the Lady Falcons in stark contrast to their first round encounter that lasted five sets......»»
Lady Bulldogs snap two-game skid at expense of Fighting Maroons
Bella Belen finished with 19 points and 11 excellent receptions in a bounce back game against the Fighting Maroons after going scoreless in their first round encounter against the Diliman team......»»
Parang sinipa na kami : Belen admits loss to UST a rude awakening for defending champs NU
After winning 20 straight games dating back to UAAP Season 82, the Lady Bulldogs are suddenly looking vulnerable in their bid to retain their crown......»»
Leaner and meaner Bella Belen of NU ready for UAAP volleyball wars
During the off-season, Belen focused heavily on her fitness and now sports a leaner frame than ever......»»
Michaela, NU sobra ‘gutom’
WALANG balak si University Athletic Association of the 84th Philippines (UAAP) Rookie-MVP Michaela “Bella” Belen at National University Lady Bulldogs na pakawalan ang kanilang korona kaya naman nagbabatak na sila para sa Season 85 ng liga. The post Michaela, NU sobra ‘gutom’ first appeared on Abante......»»
Balibolista ka gurl? Kim hinamon si Bella Belen ng NU
Hinayang na hinayang si Kim Chiu na wala siya sa ‘Showtime’ na kung saan ay nag-guest ang mga National University volleyball players, na nag-champion nga sa katatapos lang na UAAP volleyball league. The post Balibolista ka gurl? Kim hinamon si Bella Belen ng NU first appeared on Abante......»»
Baltimore bridge accident: Freighter pilot called for tugboat help before plowing into bridge
BALTIMORE — The pilot of the cargo freighter had radioed for tugboat help and reported a power loss minutes before the Baltimore bridge accident, federal safety officials said on Wednesday, citing audio from the ship’s “black box” data recorder. The head of the National Transportation Safety Board also said that Francis Scott Key Bridge, a.....»»