Bella Belen made an immediate impact in her long-awaited debut season in the Premier Volleyball League, emerging as the Rookie of the Year in the PVL Press Corps Awards Night on May 30 at Novotel Manila Araneta City.

The top overall pick out of National University collected 69 media votes and 26 team votes on top of 91.284 statistical points for a total of 186.284 points to secure the Rookie of the Year plum in the annual awards ceremony.

The three-time University Athletic Association of the Philippines champion and Most Valuable Player topped fellow members of the 2025 rookie class, including AC Miner, Jean Asis and Riza Nogales.

Belen showcased her all-around game in the All-Filipino Conference, finishing third in scoring during the preliminary round with 218 points while posting a 35.16 percent spiking success rate.

She also excelled defensively, ranking second in reception with a 40.84 percent efficiency rate.
The 23-year-old spiker will also banner the season’s Mythical Team after winning one of the two Best Outside Spiker awards.

Belen topped the voting with 91.284 statistical points along with 45 media votes and 33.4 team votes.

Joining her as Best Outside Spiker is Savi Davison of PLDT High Speed Hitters, who tallied 89.252 statistical points, 44.4 media votes and 19.4 team votes.

Also set to be honored are Gel Cayuna of Cignal HD Spikers as Best Setter, Kath Arado of PLDT as Best Libero, and middle blockers Pangs Panaga of Creamline Cool Smashers and Majoy Baron of PLDT.

Trisha Tubu of Farm Fresh Foxies completed the Mythical Team after earning Best Opposite Spiker honors behind 108.868 statistical points, 63 media votes and 36.4 team votes while leading the Foxies to a historic fourth-place finish in the 2026 All-Filipino Conference.