PVL: Capital1 streaking heading into second round

Capital1 Solar Spikers during a victory over ZUS Coffee in the PVL Reinforced Conference.–PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Capital1 notched its first franchise winning streak and in the process sealed the top three teams of Pool B heading into the second round of the PVL Reinforced Conference on Tuesday at PhilSports Arena.

Marina Tushova, fresh off her historic 45-point performance on Thursday, has still not cooled off and dropped 32 points to usher the Solar Spikers to a 3-2 record at the expense of winless ZUS Coffee, 18-25, 25-20, 25-19, 25-18.

The prolific Tushova also had 10 excellent digs on top of her offensive showing.

READ: PVL: Capital1 locals stepping up to backstop Marina Tushova

Capital1 on its best #PVL2024 start so far. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/CZLOnSlce2

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) August 6, 2024

“Kung sa Tagalog, maganda yung pangitain sa future. Maganda yung magiging sitwasyon namin na nakalayo na naman kami doon sa isang group … So, looking forward ako for a better future,” coach Roger Gorayeb said.

“I appreciate my team. Thank you so much to like turn on our all speed and start to play, we started so hard but then we did it, you know?” Tushova said. “They did a great job, started to score points [which made] the difference.”

With Iris Tolenada’s 21 excellent sets, Des Clemente was able to contribute with 12 points on eight attacks, two blocks and a pair of aces and rookie Jenya Torres with her best performance yet of seven points, two off aces. She also had 12 excellent digs.

“I’m really proud because it’s a young team, we’re still building a program, we haven’t been together for so long but we come in the gym every day with a purpose and that’s why we’re able to be successful especially when we need to be,” Tolenada said.

Riding its best start, the Solar Spikers will be moving on to Pool D behind bracket leader and undefeated Akari (5-0), which dealt Cignal its first loss of the conference, and the HD Spikers (4-1).

“Masaya ako, kasi sabi ko nga kanina sila sa dugout, what you do inside, reflects whatever I plan for them. In a matter of six months, na-regroup ko itong team na to into a very good team,” Gorayeb said.

READ: PVL: Marina Tushova powers Capital1 past Choco Mucho with 45 points

“Nakikinig and mababait yung mga player ko. Wala akong problema … It’s just a matter of them understanding ano ba yung pinagagawa ko, para saan ba to,” he added.

The Thunderbelles were not able to build on their opening set win even with Asaka Tamaru’s 22 attack points and Dolly Verzosa’s 12 points on nine attacks, two blocks and an ace apart from 26 excellent receptions.

Mich Gamit and No. 13 pick rookie Sharya Ancheta each finished with six points, highlighted by six blocks.

Captain and playmaker Cloanne Mondonedo didn’t contribute much as coach Jerry Yee opted to utilize Nikka Yandoc who activated ZUS Coffee’s offense with 16 sets. Julia Angeles caught 14 excellent digs.

Apart from the first set win, it was all downhill for ZUS Coffee as Capital1 scored at will to a deflating 20-11 lead.

Sure, the Thunderbelles made a late game scoring run to try and extend the game, 22-16, but the win was already in the bag for the Solar Spikers as Julia Ipac, Tushova and Clemente took turns bringing Capital1 closer to victory.