Sydney Niegos delivered a standout performance, teaming up with Bella Belen as Capital1 eked out a hard-fought five-set victory over Farm Fresh, 26-24, 20-25, 28-26, 20-25, 15-11, in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at the Filoil Centre.
Belen, who had carried much of the team’s offense through their first five games, finally got much-needed support from Niegos and the rest of the squad, helping the Solar Spikers even their record at 3-3 and climb to fifth place. Meanwhile, Farm Fresh slipped to 2-3.
Niegos, who had been released by the team for a month before the tournament only to be recalled by head coach Jorge Souza de Brito, delivered a career-high 20 points on 17 attacks, two kill blocks, and one ace. Her performance provided the offensive spark and balance Capital1 had been missing in earlier games.
(C) PVL Images
Belen extended her streak of 20-point games to six, finishing with a team-high 23 points on 20 attacks and three kill blocks. She also contributed 12 excellent digs and 19 excellent receptions in another all-around masterclass performance.
“I just talked to them. But it’s really just about appreciating the team. We know that we’ve been lacking something in the past, but it’s a team effort,” said De Brito.
“We lose, but we’re gonna keep on working to help each other, to help ourselves, to get the goal. So when someone really succeeds like her [Sydney Niegos] today, it’s good for us. But she’s not the only one,” he added.
Niegos and Belen took control in the decisive fifth set to secure the emotional win, which lasted two hours and 28 minutes. The 25-year-old Niegos opened the set with three quick points, giving Capital1 an early edge. Farm Fresh, led by Trisha Tubu, countered with a 3-0 run, keeping the final set fiercely competitive.
(C) PVL Images
The battle became a back-and-forth affair, with both squads trading points until the fifth set reached a tense 10-all deadlock. Belen broke the tie with a clutch back-row hit, and Niegos followed with a strong rejection on Ces Molina, sparking a 4-0 run that gave Capital1 a 14-10 lead. A costly service error from Shaya Adorador gave Farm Fresh a lifeline, but Belen finished things off with a blistering cross-court attack, scoring her 23rd point to seal the victory.
“The distributions of the set, and the guys who worked inside, so I’m really, really proud of them. Also, happy because it’s a win. A win is always a win, no matter if it’s four, three, or five sets,” De Brito said.
Adorador bounced back to contribute 14 points, while middle blockers Pauline Gaston and Cherry Nunag added eight points each. Jasmine Nabor facilitated the offense with 24 excellent sets and three points, and team captain/libero Roma Mae Doromal registered 18 excellent receptions, helping the team recover from a straight-set loss to Creamline in their previous outing.
Capital1 aims to ride this momentum into its next match against Akari on March 7 at 6:30 p.m., also at the Filoil Centre.
For Farm Fresh, Tubu’s 30-point performance went to waste as the team fell to 2-3. Ces Molina added 21 points with 14 excellent receptions, while Rizza Cruz chipped in 12 points. The Foxies will look to bounce back when they face PLDT on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in San Juan.
