After three conferences clouded by inconsistency, the Capital1 Solar Spikers are making a bold pivot.
The team is ushering in a new era by replacing veteran coach Roger Gorayeb with national team tactician Jorge Souza de Brito, and selecting three-time UAAP MVP Bella Belen as the franchise cornerstone.
It’s a seismic shift that signals Capital1’s intent to rise from the lower echelon and finally contend in the Premier Volleyball League.
“Hindi naman siya one decision. Again, we look at statistics, we look at our past from all the conferences. Kami as sisters, we want to win. Yung mindset po namin is to win. So, who will push that? Our players,” said team co-owner Milka Romero.
“And what we want is results. So, hopefully with this, we put this in place kami ng sister ko, from coaching staff to players, it’s up to them now. Sila po yung expert, sila po yung nasa court so we want to see the results this time.”
While Gorayeb has been reassigned as team consultant, it’s De Brito who now takes the reins — bringing with him the technical savvy that recently led Alas Pilipinas to a historic bronze medal in the AVC Challenge Cup.
“He’s very technical. We have been in talks with him, and we like his style. Today, nanalo ang Alas, and that goes to show na over time, pag may patience, it’s not a one-day turnaround. Pero we’d like that in our team na over time, nakikita natin ang growth ng Alas, ng growth ng Capital1, and with our coach and with this new set of players, excited po kami ni Mandy,” Milka shared.
The Romero sisters also expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Gorayeb for laying the groundwork during the team’s formative phase.
“At the same time, Coach Roger, we’re very grateful [for] how he shepherded us, shepherded with us, through this past year, and he will continue to guide us with Capital1. So, we’re very glad to create more strategies together and to continue to improve our system,” said Mandy Romero.
Capital1’s new direction became even more defined during the PVL Rookie Draft last Sunday at the Novotel in Quezon City, when the Solar Spikers used their No. 1 overall pick to select Belen — a generational talent who is currently in Hanoi with Alas Pilipinas for the AVC Women’s Nations Cup.
(C) PVL Images
“So, first of all, surprise! I think nagulat ba kayong lahat? Talagang it’s a relief na the suspense is over and from the day that we got the lottery pick, the first pick, that was really a good advantage for our team kasi yung momentum po namin, we want to have a stronger line-up, stronger strategy for the team moving forward and the first pick was very helpful,” Milka said.
Capital1 then bolstered their middle rotation with the selection of University of Santo Tomas standout Pia Abbu in the second round (14th overall) and Asian Institute of Maritime Studies’ Ivy Aquino in the third round (24th overall).
The rookie trio of Belen, Abbu, and Aquino will join a promising core led by last year’s No. 2 overall pick Leila Cruz, Roma Mae Doromal, Trisha Genesis, Iris Tolenada, and Julia Ipac.
“Definitely, this is a new era and new energy sa franchise namin. Alam naman na si Bella Belen is a franchise maker, game changer po talaga siya, and we will really take care of her and the fans who will be now fans of Capital1,” Milka added.
