Marina Tushova and the Capital1 Spikers in the PVL Reinforced Conference. –PVL PHOTO
Marina Tushova broke two PVL records to will Capital1 to its second win in the Reinforced Conference on Thursday at PhilSports Arena.
Tushova exploded for 45 points on 43 attacks, an attack and an ace to energize the Solar Spikers in the 13-25, 25-21, 18-25, 25-20, 15-13 upset of Choco Mucho.
The Russian import eclipsed former Akari reinforcement Prisilla Rivera who previously held the record with 44 points that she delivered in the 2022 while also topping BanKo Perlas’ Kia Bright’s 40 attacks.
“All game I felt like I’m not doing anything. That’s why I’m like let’s do more, let’s do more. So about this 45 points, it’s good for sure but it’s not like I’m already on top of my career or I’m better than someone else,” Tushova said.
“It’s just one game and today it was like this. Thank you, I really appreciate it. Thanks to my team, thanks to my family, to the people who are close to me because of them, I’m here now,” she added.
It was all about Tushova in the thrilling marathon match as Iris Tolenada, who tossed in 17 excellent sets, consistently found her foreign teammate to help Capital1 to a 2-2 card, its best start and record since joining the pro league.
Marina Tushova and the Capital1 Spikers in the PVL Reinforced Conference. –PVL PHOTO
Tushova was also present on the defensive end with 12 excellent digs and 18 excellent receptions to help rookie libero Roma Mae Doromal who caught 12 excellent digs as well and 16 excellent receptions.
“Marina has been carrying our offense for the past three games. Still kailangan pa rin yung local players na mag-contribute nang mag-contribute, coach Roger Gorayeb said.
“Sa first set wala eh, si Marina lang. Lagi kong sinasabi you got to help Marina, you got to support Marina, we do not put all the pressure on offense on Marina’s shoulder kaya lagi kong nire-remind,” he added.
READ: SCHEDULE: 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference
Des Clemente was the next best scorer for Capital1 with seven points, four off the nine total blocks of the winning crew.
Zoi Faki’s best performance of 28 points, 25 coming from kills, and Dindin Santiago Manabat’s 16 points was put to waste as the Flying Titans dropped their third match in four games.
Marina Tushova sets a new scoring record in the Premier Volleyball League. #PVL2024 pic.twitter.com/OQvZUEmz8q
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) August 1, 2024
“The players were lucky in the next three or four sets. Their small contributions helped a lot. Their blocking was good, because for example, Marina will score points but we can’t rely on her for everything,” Gorayeb said.
“It’s tough, and it’s not fair to her—she didn’t come here to carry us all alone. We need to help each other. Even my substitutions and rotations worked well, so I’m happy,” he added.
Faki gave Choco Mucho its biggest lead in the deciding frame with a kill of the block, 5-8, before Faki and Deanna Wong committed three consecutive errors to tie the game.
Tushova had an attack error herself but Julia Ipac landed the ball with a placement attack to put Capital1 in match point. And Tushova, in a fitting fashion, hammered a kill from the back row to secure the victory.