Sasha Bytsenko has been making it look easy for Capital1 in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference, leading the Solar Spikers to the quarterfinals.
But for the Ukrainian outside spiker, this tournament has been anything but easy.
“I can tell you, all games are not easy here. It’s true,” said Bytsenko, who has played in Ukraine, Japan, France, China, and Indonesia.
“It’s a good league here and every team has shown their level.”
A clear example came in Capital1’s final elimination-round game on Thursday against a winless but inspired Galeries Tower Highrisers at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Capital1 was stunned in the first set, 25-12, and had to dig deep in the second to escape, 27-25.
(C) PVL Images
From there, the Solar Spikers found their rhythm, taking the next two sets 25-19, 25-18 to claim a 12-25, 29-27, 25-19, 25-18 victory — securing at least the seventh seed in the process.
They could climb as high as No. 6 if Petro Gazz falls to PLDT later in the day.
With no team to take lightly, especially with the knockout rounds starting Monday, Bytsenko is focused on making the most of the three-day break.
“We only have a couple of days to prepare our mental, physical, and tactical parts, so we will listen to our coach on how to prepare for the quarterfinals,” she said.
Fortunately for Capital1, Bytsenko’s chemistry with the team’s setters has been clicking, while Nikka Yandoc also shone in the win over Galeries Tower.
The Solar Spikers’ potential quarterfinal opponents — the top three seeds — are still being contested by the Farm Fresh Foxies, the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, and the PLDT High Speed Hitters.
“Both setters, I’m so lucky that they understand what I need. We also have a third setter, and she also communicates well with me and other spikers,” said Bytsenko.
“It’s a good feeling, and even during the game, they listen to me when there were some balls that I do not feel comfortable hitting.”
