Bella Belen is inspired to do better and improve her craft after receiving the distinct honor of being named Miss Volleyball by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA).

The Premier Volleyball League (PVL) rookie playing for Capital1 has earned her spot in the elite club of other local women’s volleyball greats, who received recognition from the country’s oldest media organization.

Unfortunately, Belen skipped the formal awarding rites on Monday night at the Diamond Hotel after feeling under the weather.

Instead, her trophy was handed to her by the officials of the Premier Volleyball League Press Corps led by its president Lance Agcaoili of Philippine Daily Inquirer, vice president Mark Escarlote of the Daily Tribune, treasurer Jonash Dannug of Tiebreaker Times and auditor Abby Toralba of Malaya on Tuesday after the Solar Spikers match at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

“I’m very honored and grateful for this award. I didn’t expect to receive this kind of award because this is such huge award. There are other good and talented players. So I’m very thankful to the PSA and I’m thankful for those who voted for me,” the 23-year-old Belen said.

The Alas Pilipinas’ award served as icing on the cake for Belen after putting in a career-high 29 points to help Capital1 end a two-game slide at the expense of Choco Mucho, 25-21, 18-25, 25-18, 19-25, 15-10 for an even 2-2 win-loss card.

Belen was the top choice for the recognition after a fruitful career run last year when she helped the Lady Bulldogs capture a repeat crown in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) in her final year on top of copping a third Most Valuable Player award.

She also powered Alas Pilipinas to a historic runner-up finish in the AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup, back-to-back bronze in the Southeast Asian V-League and a decent finish in the 33rd SEA Games. Belen was selected No. 1 overall pick by the Solar Spikers in the PVL Draft.

“I mean, I always say that awards and recognitions follow when you work hard and put your best effort every time,” she said.

Belen is the second National University product to bag the award after Jaja Santiago-Minowa. Other past winners were Alyssa Valdez, Aby Marano, Mika Reyes, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Tots Carlos, Sisi Rondina and Jia Morado-De Guzman.

For Belen, the award will serve as motivation to stay on top of her game.