PVL: Marina Tushova drops 49 to fuel Capital1 past Nxled

Capital1 Solar Spikers’ import Marina Tushova in the PVL Reinforced Conference. –PVL PHOTO

SCHEDULE: 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference

MANILA, Philippines–Marina Tushova launched a 49-point bomb to power Capital1 to its third consecutive win in the PVL Reinforced Conference on Saturday at PhilSports Arena.

On the brink of losing in straight sets, the Solar Spikers went to Tushova to complete a reverse sweep on Nxled, 20-25, 20-25, 25-16, 25-19, 15-6, as the Russian reset again the all-time league scoring and attack record that she set herself in another five-setter against Choco Mucho last week.

“Before the game I told them we cannot start slow—our start was super slow,” coach Roger Gorayeb said in Filipino lamenting the Solar Spikers’ miscues in the first two frames.

“We were always leading but I don’t know what kind of jinx is happening … luckily in the third, fourth and fifth set we immediately got past it,” he added.

Tushova was lethal on the offensive end with 46 attacks, three more than what she did against the Flying Titans, aside from a pair of aces, a block and 14 excellent receptions as Capital1 improved to a 4-2 standing.

“I just played, I just enjoyed playing with my team and about this game, thanks to my coach. He saw me, he listened to me and he gave me a lot before the last game and this game,” Tushova said.

With Tushova carrying the offensive load, it was no surprise that the next best scorers were Julia Ipac and setter Iris Tolenada who finished with seven points apiece. Tolenada also had 17 excellent sets.

“I did a good job, we did a good job together and today I felt like I was in the game. I didn’t feel like I am somewhere else,” she added, sharing the credit also to her teammates.

Jho Maraguinot’s 19 attack points and 15 excellent receptions went down the drain as the Chameleons lost for the fifth consecutive time in six games.

Chiara Permentilla added 15 points and 15 excellent receptions while import Meegan Hart contributed 13 points with Jaja Maraguinot distributing the ball with 16 excellent sets.

With no signs of slowing down, Capital1 rushed to a 10-3 lead courtesy of a Tushova block on Permentilla who then sent an attack outside in the next play.

All the momentum was on the Solar Spikers as Tolenada got an ace after her service rolled off the net to complete a 5-0 run. Gorayeb called a wrong floor touch challenge that gave Nxled a point.

Tushova kept resetting her own record as Tolenada continuously gave her the opportunity even when she was in the back row—exactly where she sent the last two winning points.