PVL: Capital1 banks on De Brito’s technical know-how in rebuild

Jorge Edson Souza De Brito has been named new head coach of the Capital1 Solar Spikers in the PVL. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Capital1 tapped Brazilian coach Jorge Souza De Brito for his style at Alas Pilipinas as the national tactician ushers in a new era for the Solar Spikers in the PVL, led by first overall pick Bella Belen.

Capital1 owners Milka and Mandy Romero said it wasn’t a sudden decision to hire De Brito, as they had been in talks with him before handing over the coaching reins, with Roger Gorayeb being named team consultant.

READ: PVL: Expectations rise for Capital1 with ‘franchise maker’ Belen

“He’s very technical. We have been in talks with him and we like his style. [On Sunday] Alas won [against Indonesia] and that goes to show that when you have patience — it’s not a one-day turnaround — but we’d like that in our team that over time we will see the growth of Alas and Capital1 and with our coach and with this new set of players,” said Milka after drafting three players in the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft at Novotel.

The owners aim to grow and win more games, tapping De Brito, who last coached in the PVL in 2023 for Akari in a seventh-place finish in the All-Filipino Conference.

A video message by Bella Belen plays during the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft after the three-time UAAP MVP was selected first overall by Capital1 Solar Spikers.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

The Brazilian coach, who has been handling Alas since 2022, steered the squad to three bronze medals last year, including the country’s first podium finish in the AVC Challenge Cup and a pair of third-place finishes in the SEA V.League.

READ: No surprise as Bella Belen picked first in PVL Draft 2025

“Hindi naman siya one decision. Again, we look at statistics, we look at our past from all the conferences. Kami as sisters, we want to win. Yung mindset po namin is to win. So, who will push that? Our players. And what we want is results,” Milka said. “So, hopefully with this, we put this in place kami ng sister ko, from coaching staff to players, it’s up to them now. Sila po yung expert, sila po yung nasa court so we want to see the results this time.”

Mandy said Gorayeb, who was named Strong Group Athletics consultant for its high school and college teams, will remain part of the squad after he steered the franchise to its first playoff appearance in the Reinforced Conference quarterfinals, led by Marina Tushova last year.

“At the same time, Coach Roger, we’re very grateful for how he shepherded us, shepherded with us, through this past year and he will continue to guide us with Capital1. So, we’re very glad to create more strategies together and to continue to improve our system,” she said.

Mandy and Milka, both former national athletes, vowed to create a culture of “excellence, camaraderie, and winning” at Capital1 after bolstering their roster with three-time UAAP MVP Belen, second-round pick Pia Abbu from the University of Santo Tomas, and Ivy Aquino as their final pick.

“We’re really nurturing that within our players. That we create a never-say-die, all-or-nothing personality,” Mandy said.

“We learned a lot this past year that you have to adapt quickly and fast. The players are in demand, the teams are very dynamic. So, kami, hindi kami magpapahuli. We want to be quick on our feet, get the best players that we can for our team, and learn,” Milka added.