Capital1 essayed a stunning upset, toppling the two-time champion Petro Gazz, 26-24, 25-20, and 25-18, in a night filled with excitement and unexpected outcomes in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig Tuesday.
Russian Marina Tushova, after a valiant 20-point performance in a losing effort against the Akari Chargers last Thursday, elevated her game, amassing 24 points, including 23 on attacks, while Iris Tolenada showcased her exceptional playmaking skills, holding the team together with 15 excellent sets and demonstrating her crucial role in the team’s dynamics.
Their combined efforts led the Solar Spikers to the most exhilarating victory of the two-week-old mid-season conference organized by Sports Vision that tied them with their victims at 1-1 in Pool B play.
This remarkable win was even more impressive as it came against the Angels, who had started their campaign for a third championship in the import-laden conference with a dominant straight-set victory over the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles last week.
The Solar Spikers, who initially suffered a four-set loss to the Chargers, surprised the Angels in the first set with their unwavering poise and determination. They then took control in the next two sets, leaving their rivals and league observers in shock.
Despite the astonishing result, Capital1 remained unfazed.
Tolenada expressed her elation, saying, “It feels amazing that there are people around me who want to work as hard as I do. We’re talking about being a team and family, and that’s why we were successful today.”
Tushova, who spiked her effort with 10 excellent digs and nine receptions, also credited her teammates for their resoluteness, saying, “The team helped me put up a good job.”
The victory was sealed when skipper Jorelle Singh unleashed a powerful spike that deflected off two Angels’ defenders and landed out of bounds, igniting a joyous celebration for a team that had only managed one win in its debut appearance last year.
Singh finished with nine points, while Des Clemente tallied five kill blocks laced with four attacks to end with nine markers in the one-hour, 32-minute match.
Second overall pick Leila Cruz had five points and 11 excellent digs for the Solar Spikers.
“Masayang masaya ako kasi who would have ever thought na mai-straight (sets) namin. They are always looking at us as a low-level team,” said Capital1 head coach Roger Gorayeb.
“Tapos maka-straight set kami ng more experienced team? Malaking bagay sa amin ‘yun, morale booster sa mga bata ‘yun,” he added.
Capital1 hopes to sustain its new-found strength as it faces Cignal on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Meanwhile, reigning All-Filipino Conference MVP Brooke Van Sickle led the Angels with 19 points on 16 attacks, two blocks and an ace and finished with 10 excellent receptions and eight excellent digs.
Cuban import Wilma Salas, who had 15 points against the Thunderbelles, was held to just seven points, the same output put in by Jonah Sabete as the Angels sorely missed the services of team captain and starting middle blocker Remy Palma.
Petro Gazz seeks redemption against Akari at 3 p.m., also on Saturday.
