Belen fires 29, Capital1 outlasts Choco Mucho

MANILA, Philippines — Bella Belen isn’t the country’s Ms. Volleyball for nothing.

The 2025 top rookie draft pick bucked cramps and helped save the day for Capital1 in their 25-21, 18-25, 25-18, 19-25, 15-10 win over an Eya Laure-less Choco Mucho yesterday in the PVL All-Filipino Conference at the Filoil Arena.

Belen battled in the fifth and final set and propelled the Mandy and Milka Romero-owned Solar Spikers team to a second victory against the same number of defeats.

“Thank you for this award,” said Belen, who received the “Ms. Volleyball” trophy bestowed on her by the Philippine Sportswriters Association during the post-game interview.

Belen dropped 29 points, her league high, including some crucial hits in the deciding set that fended off a rallying Rebisco franchise, which opted to rest Laure, who suffered a groin injury during its four-set defeat to sibling rival Creamline at the MOA Arena a week ago.