Capital1 displayed nerves of steel, staging gritty comebacks in the first two sets before completing a stunning 25-23, 25-23, 25-21 sweep of Cignal in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference on Friday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Behind the steady performances of Oleksandra Bytsenko and Bella Belen, the Solar Spikers showed remarkable poise and determination to improve their record to 2-2 in Pool A of the tournament organized by Sports Vision and supported by ICTSI, Milcu, Mikasa, and Fabriano.
With the victory, Capital1 moved within striking distance of a spot in Pool D, where they’ll have an opportunity to face the bottom three teams from Pool B — and further strengthen their bid for a quarterfinal berth.
“I’m very happy and proud of them because we worked as a team. From the very first point, we knew our plan and followed it. Even when we needed to make adjustments, we did. We changed our approach, especially in the third set,” said Solar Spikers head coach Jorge De Brito.
(C) PVL Images
Bytsenko led the Solar Spikers with 23 points and 12 excellent receptions. Belen delivered a double-double performance of 11 points and 14 digs in the one-hour, 30-minute victory that dashed the Super Spikers’ hopes of advancing to Pool D.
Iris Tolenada orchestrated the offense with 16 excellent sets on top of four points. Meanwhile, team captain Roma Doromal anchored the floor defense with 15 digs and 14 receptions.
Leila Cruz also chipped in eight points.
The Solar Spikers mounted a valiant comeback in the second set after trailing 10-17.
Pia Abbu, Bytsenko, Belen, and Rachel Austero spearheaded a fiery 13-5 rally that flipped the script for a 23-22 advantage.
“Even when Cignal adjusted, they got close, but our players managed to respond at the right moment. I’m happy for that — and the tournament is just beginning,” De Brito added.
Bytsenko then brought Capital1 to set point, and after Katrin Trebichavska momentarily kept Cignal alive, a costly attack error from the Super Spikers handed the Solar Spikers a commanding 2-0 lead.
From there, Capital1 maintained its composure and sustained its momentum to close out the third set and complete the sweep.
Capital1 will next face Choco Mucho on Tuesday at 6:30 PM at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, Cignal ended the first round with a 2-3 record and will be relegated to Pool C.
Trebichavska was the lone double-digit scorer for the Super Spikers with 22 points. Erika Santos and Rose Doria-Aquino contributed nine and eight points, respectively.
