Set to pick second in the inaugural Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Rookie Draft, Capital1 co-owner Mandy Romero believes the Solar Spikers are poised to take a significant step toward their goal of competing against the league’s best.
“We’re very excited for this upcoming conference. It’s just our second time to be in the league and to get the second overall pick, baka that’s our lucky number. Of course, we will be very competitive and do our best with the team that we have,” said the younger Romero, who co-owns the team with her sister Milka.
“With the new, talented roster of players coming into this league, we are just so excited to bring that heat, bring that energy to the PVL and do what we said we wanted to do when we first joined here last January which is to really bring a fresh new face to the PVL,” she continued.
Capital1, which held a 30-percent chance of securing the top pick entering the lottery, nabbed the second overall pick in the draft and will make its selection after ZUS Coffee in the first-ever PVL Rookie Draft on July 8.
The ever-supportive team owner said that the team already listed down prospects but declined to reveal their names, sharing that they are looking at players who can balance the team out and give the Solar Spikers the much-needed firepower.
(C) Joaqui Flores/PVL
“Our management and myself, we already have a list of players that are top of mind. We can’t reveal what we’re thinking about and what we’re looking for, but really someone to balance our team and to bring the heat, bring that starpower to our team,” said the daughter of sportsman and politician Mikee Romero.
Formed just less than a month prior to the season-opening All-Filipino Conference, the Roger Gorayeb-coached Capital1 finished second to the last in their maiden PVL campaign, winning only one out of its 12 assignments.
Romero said that the team gained plenty of learnings during their debut, and she hopes they can apply all of them in the upcoming Reinforced Conference.
“You know, we put up a team in less than a month [before the start of the All-Filipino Conference]. I don’t know how many times that’s been done before but really, it’s a challenge. It was also an adventure that we were ready for,” said the 23-year-old former Muay Thai athlete.
“Lots of new learnings from that initial run that we had and the year is just getting started. We still have two more conferences for this season and we’re really looking forward to what more we can offer,” she continued.
“I’m very confident in our management also, Coach Roger (Gorayeb)’s ability to shape young players and bring out the best skills that they have.”
Prior to the draft, Capital1 already made several moves in preparation for the mid-season conference, signing Russian reinforcement Marina Tushova and Filipino-American playmaker Iris Tolenada.
