At just 24 years old, Roma Mae Doromal finds herself at the heart of a rebuilding campaign—and right in the middle of the storm. Now wearing the captain’s band for Capital1 in only her second year in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), Doromal is stepping into the spotlight with the same poise and grit that made her a standout libero at Ateneo.
No longer just the quiet anchor of the floor defense, Doromal now finds herself in charge of a team undergoing a massive transition. And while the journey has been anything but smooth, she’s choosing to rise above the growing pains.
“Tinitignan ko siya as something na mas ma-motivate pa ako inside the court and outside the court,” said the 5-foot-7 defensive specialist, speaking about her surprise appointment as team captain for the 2025 PVL On Tour.
“I feel like there's a purpose talaga bakit ako 'yung napiling captain, and I super appreciate lang din na nakikita nila 'yung leadership ko inside the court. Really excited lang talaga to help the team and to push them kung paano ko sila ma-push pa,” she added.
It’s a rare position for someone so early in her professional career, but leadership isn’t foreign to Doromal. During her collegiate days with Ateneo, she captained a young Blue Eagles squad through rebuilding years. The challenge this time around? Leading a team of seasoned pros.
“Actually, it's a new challenge talaga for me. Super malaking challenge siya, pressure also, but inaano ko na good pressure siya,” Doromal admitted.
“Kasi mag-grow pa ako as a player, and mas matatanda na kasi 'yung nile-lead ko now. So I think 'yun din siguro reason din para mag-grow pa talaga ako, kasi I'm looking for growth. Super up lang ako talaga sa challenge,” she continued.
That mentality has been crucial as Capital1 has stumbled out of the gates in the PVL On Tour. With back-to-back straight-set losses against powerhouse Creamline and a surging Akari squad in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, the Solar Spikers are still searching for rhythm and identity.
Doromal, selected 14th overall in the 2024 PVL Draft, remains unfazed. Instead of frustration, she speaks with maturity and clarity about what the team must do to evolve.
“Actually, madami talaga kaming lapses na nangyari, but at the same time, we're positive and very eager kami to do a lot of things pa na kailangan namin i-improve sa training,” she said after their loss to Akari.
“Sobrang nagta-trust lang kami talaga sa bagong system, and all of us are adjusting also sa new system. So it's a challenge talaga for us, pero we're very up to the challenge. It's actually challenging kasi matagal din kami with Coach Roger. But with the new system now, parang positive lang kami and tinatrust lang namin siya with everything that we do pa rin.”
Under the guidance of new head coach Jorge Souza de Brito—a seasoned international tactician who recently joined the squad—Capital1 is in the middle of a tactical and cultural overhaul. But de Brito’s absence from the On Tour leg, along with the temporary loss of outside spiker Leila Cruz and top draft pick Bella Belen, has forced younger players like Doromal to step up faster than expected.
And while results may not have come early, the value of this experience is not lost on the young captain.
“So far, super happy kami and happy kami na madami kaming nakita na kailangan i-improve. And super optimistic lang din kami in the future games, na we know na 'yung system ni Coach Jorge naging effective for us,” said Doromal.
“So we have to trust lang the process, and super happy na dito kami nakalaro sa On Tour kasi we get the chance na magkasama kami every day. Parang team building na din namin.”
