| Mau Belen | |
| Cyears1: | 2021–2024 |
| Cteam1: | TNT Triple Giga (3x3) |
| Cyears2: | 2024 |
| Cteam2: | Philippines 3x3 |
| Highlights: |
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Maureen Kris Belen[1] (born [2]) is a Filipino basketball coach.[3]
A former high school varsity player,[3] Belen shifted to coaching having limited options to continue her playing career as a woman. She joined coach Eric Altamirano's basketball school to hone her skills before heading to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates where she stayed for four years and worked as a youth coach for the local Filipino community there.[4]
Belen returned to the Philippines in 2017, coaching at least three teams.[4] This include the Philippine National Police women's team in 2019.[5] Her other previous employers were Assumption College and St. Paul College of Parañaque.[4]
In March 2021, Belen became the first female coach in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) when she was made assistant coach of the Chot Reyes-led staff of TNT Tropang Giga.[5] However, the inclusion of female staff member is not new in the history of the franchise with Debbie Tan as team manager when the team was still known as Mobiline.[1]
She would also become head coach of TNT's team in the PBA 3x3.[6] TNT would win the third conference of the 2021 season under her mentorship.[7] The team, later rebranded as the TNT Triple Giga, would continue its winning streak by winning all three conferences in the 2022–23 season – the first ever grand slam in the 3x3 league's history.[7] [8] [9] The team would be disbanded after the PBA 3x3's dissolution after the 2023–24 season.[10]
Belen would be the head coach of the Philippines men's national 3x3 team which took part in the 2024 FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup.[11]
Belen organized sports events in Dubai.[6] She was also part of the organizing team of the basketball tournament of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines.[5]
Belen also served as tournament director of National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) which organizes tournaments for girls.[12]
In 2024, together with former TNT Triple Giga players Chester Saldua, Samboy de Leon and Matt Salem, they founded the basketball league Half Court 3x3.[13]
Belen identifies as a lesbian and presents herself as masculine.[3]