MANILA — Capital1 earned a victory as it concluded the preliminary round of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.
The Solar Spikers relied on the duo of Bella Belen and France Ronquillo as they weathered a pesky Galeries side, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22, 26-24, on Saturday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.
The super rookie registered a triple-double of 23 points, 14 excellent digs, and 15 excellent receptions, while Ronquillo dropped a 20-point bomb on her former team to lead the Solar Spikers.
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They had to claw their way back after falling on a 17-11 hole installed by the Highrisers late in Set 4. They eventually completed the win in the extended period on Belen's clutch hits, pouncing on a Winnie Bedaña attack error that powered Capital1 to match point.
"Sa training pa lang kasi, sinusubukan na namin 'yung ganung scenario na lamang ‘yung kalaban, and then tina-try namin habulin, pero lagi namin hindi nagagawa sa training. So, siguro kaka-practice namin sa training, lumalabas ‘yung composure namin, kumbaga hindi kami nara-rattle," Belen said as she described how they train for those kinds of scenarios.
Aside from Belen and Ronquillo, Cherry Nunag made her presence felt with 14 points, while Sydney Niegos had 11 markers. Jasmine Nabor was on point on her playmaking, listing 20 excellent sets.
Meanwhile, veteran Aiza Maizo-Pontillas delivered 17 points to pace Galeries, leading four Highrisers who had double-digit scoring.
Both teams will meet again in the play-in tournament.
"Well, of course they will study us and we have to do the same. And since the game is really on Tuesday, the first part is study and rest," said coach Jorge de Brito, sharing how they would prepare for the Highrisers.
"So we're gonna see what we can counterattack. But for sure, it's time to go. And we're prepared to go. We're prepared to fight back."