Capital1 Solar Spikers Mandy Romero during the first ever PVL Draft Lottery. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines —Capital1 will be parading its upcoming draft pick along with Russian outside spiker Marina Tushova as its foreign guest player in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference in July.
The Solar Spikers are set to pick second in the first-ever PVL Rookie Draft on July 8 and they will be complementing the new incoming talent with a “young” import who has experience in playing professionally in Russia, France and Switzerland.
“We’re proud to have signed Ms. Marina Tushova who’s an incredibly young and talented player from Russia. She has already arrived in the Philippines and so far, she’s been experiencing Filipino hospitality and warmth,” Capital1 team owner Mandy Romero told the reporters on Monday during Rookie Draft Lottery at TV5 Media Center.
READ: ZUS Coffee gets top pick for inaugural PVL Rookie Draft
“She has the Filipino fighting spirit that we’re all looking for that we hope could excite fans,” Romero said.
Filipino-American setter Iris Tolenada, who played in South Korea last year, has also signed on with Capital1 according to Romero.
Tolenada and Tushova will boost the rebuilding roster with Jorelle Singh, Patty Orendain, Des Clemente, Jannine Navarro, and Heather Guino-o
In their debut conference, the Solar Spikers only won one out of their 11 games, landing a 30 percent chance in the lottery.
READ: PVL: Gorayeb wants Capital1 to seize on newfound chance
“Our management and myself, we already have a list of players that are top of mind. We can’t reveal what we’re thinking about and what we’re looking for, but really someone to balance our team and to bring the heat, bring that starpower to our team,” said Romero.
“We’re happy to get to know our fans too and to know what the fans are thinking of on who we should pick,” she added.
With their experience from the All-Filipino and longer preparation, Romero is more confident of their team in the Reinforced Conference with also
“We put up a team in less than a month. I don’t know how many times that’s been done before but really, it’s a challenge. It was also an adventure that we were ready for,” said the Capital1 owner.
“Lots of new learnings from that initial run that we had and the year is just getting started. We still have two more conferences for this season and we’re really looking forward to what more we can offer.”
“I’m very confident in our management also, Coach Roger’s ability to shape young players and bring out the best skills that they have,” he added.
Capital1 will pick second after ZUS Coffee in the Rookie Draft on July 8 at Novotel.