Isabel Beatriz "Bea" Paras de Leon (born August 2, 1996) is a Filipino professional volleyball player who currently plays for the Creamline Cool Smashers in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL). She played for the Ateneo Lady Eagles in the UAAP for five straight years and in her final year, led her team to its third championship and was named the UAAP Season 81 Finals MVP.
De Leon was a consistent Dean's lister in the Ateneo and graduated with a degree in AB Management Economics. De Leon was a finalist for the Ambrosio Padilla Athlete of the Year Award, recognizing athletes of the university who excel both in academics and sports.[3]
In 2023, she graduated her Masters degree in Sustainability Management at Ateneo Graduate Programs.[4] An academic scholarship was also established in the Ateneo in her name.[5]
Collegiate career
De Leon's mother Det, father Elmer and brother Loel were graduates of the De La Salle University, which has a long-running rivalry with the Ateneo. Her first choice for college was also La Salle but decided to go to Ateneo because her preferred course was unavailable at the time in DLSU and she lived nearer to the former school. Veteran Ateneo players Alyssa Valdez and Denden Lazaro also influenced her to change her decision to switch schools.[6][7]
In her debut game in UAAP Season 77, De Leon was an immediate starter for the Ateneo Lady Eagles. The 5'11 middle blocker established herself as a threat in the middle for the defending champions with her powerful quick hits and blocks. She was a top contender for the Rookie of the Year Award averaging 9 pts per game, but in the mid-season, she injured her right index finger in training that caused her to be sidelined for two weeks and missed three games in the process. She returned in the last game of eliminations and helped her team go back to the finals scoring 11 points against their archrival, the De La Salle Lady Spikers.[8] They successfully defended their title against the Lady Spikers and sweep the season with a perfect 16–0 record.[9]
On her rookie year in the Ateneo, De Leon was chosen to be a part of the National Team that represented the country in the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore.[10]
In the collegiate conference of Shakey's V-League Season 12, De Leon was awarded with the 2nd Best Middle Blocker Award.[11]
As co-horse breeder with her father Elmer, de Leon owns Bell Racing Stable "Bea Bell" (champions of both 2023 PHILRACOM "2-Year-Old Maiden Stakes Race" with P720,000 prize and the October 22, 2023 "2nd Leg Juvenile Stakes Race" with prize of P1,080,000 at Metro Manila Turf Club Race Track).[1][2][3]