Volleyball fans are rallying behind the National University Lady Bulldogs’ decision to retire the No. 4 jersey of star spiker Mhicaela Belen, calling the tribute well-deserved after her decorated UAAP career.
NU formally retired Belen’s jersey during its Pep Rally at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay City on Thursday afternoon.
Supporters flooded social media with praise for the Alas Pilipinas standout, who led the Lady Bulldogs to three UAAP women’s volleyball championships in four seasons.
Deserve na deserve ni Bella Belen ‘yan! History in the making. 💙 https://t.co/osBKYajAJJ
— glyndel 🍧 (@backrownivanie) September 4, 2025
First-ever UAAP Rookie-MVP, 3-time Season MVP, 8-time UAAP Champion (Jr. & Sr.), 3-time Best OH, 2-time UAAP Jr. MVP. Jersey #4️⃣ THE MHICAELA ‘Bella’ BELEN a true history maker, and the first Bulldog to have her jersey retired.
Her legacy will live forever.#4EverBella ✨👑🙌🏻❤️🔥🐶 pic.twitter.com/cuc1BRVCGy— Juju 4 Bella 🍓✨ (@floweeee123) September 4, 2025
Tama nga ang mga chika na ireretire jersey ni Ate ko Bella Belen haha. Well-dazerb!!
Pero sana ibigay na sa kanya #4 sa Capital 1. Niretire yung #4 sa kaniya sa NU tapos hindi niya makuha sa Capital1 kasi nasa bench? Wag na tayong magemehan hahaha https://t.co/Nv3Hn4uTir
— Volleycore (@hypeforthepipe) September 4, 2025
you won’t often see her bragging all of her awards, but you’ll ALWAYS ALWAYS see her expressing her love, loyalty and the things she can do for NU. this another historic moment of her will serve as a reminder that she is THE bella belen. #4everBella 💛💙 https://t.co/nZM6JOvN8P
— n (@4mbelen) September 4, 2025
bella belen 🐐🤟🏻
— v—• (@vvanesaaaaa) September 4, 2025
💙💛
Bella Belen#4everBella#B3LL4B3L3N https://t.co/pMxRt1Rgc6— Daniel B. Bautista (@bautistadanielb) September 4, 2025
Bella Belen has been officially GOAT-ed in NU volleyball 🐐🐶🫡 https://t.co/2t5XQSVFp0
— vbrants (@myvolleyrants) September 4, 2025
Today, we honor not just your wins, but your heart, leadership, and legacy. 🏐👑
The #4️⃣ will never be the same again —it will always belong to Bella Belen. ✨#4EverBella 💛💙 pic.twitter.com/OORP6F3ZWp
— sapsueyyy_ (@BarknBloom) September 4, 2025
IMMORTAL. ETERNAL. UNTOUCHABLE.
BREAKING NEWS‼️‼️ Bella Belen's makes history as the first student-athlete to have her jersey 4️⃣ retired in the National University history. 🐾💙 #UAAPSeason88 #JerseyRetirement pic.twitter.com/ZcresuY9L1
— 🏐 𝗩𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗬𝗕𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗦 (@vballistasph) September 4, 2025
bella belen is the first from nu and the third women’s volleyball player pa lang to retire her jersey ‘no? after illa santos (dlsu) and rachel anne daquis (feu). she’s the first from the new gen. 💙💛
— Gelo | #OustSergio (@gelolovesvolley) September 4, 2025
Before her collegiate stint, Belen won five UAAP titles with the NU-Nazareth School Lady Bullpups, earning two MVPs and a Best Opposite Hitter award.
She later made history as the first UAAP women’s volleyball player to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season.
With the Lady Bulldogs, Belen added three MVPs, two Best Opposite Hitter awards, and a Best Server citation to her trophy case, cementing her legacy as one of the league’s most dominant players.
She now joins La Salle legend Manilla Santos (No. 14) and FEU icon Rachel Anne Daquis (No. 3) as the only UAAP women’s volleyball players to have their jerseys retired.
