Friday, 10 July 2026
Nasdaq +1.30%
Subscribe NowSupport Us

Daily TribuneDaily TribuneDaily Tribune

Daily TribuneDaily TribuneDaily Tribune
Subscribe
Friday, 10 July 2026
Nasdaq +1.30%
  • News
  • Commentary
  • Business
  • Life
  • Show
  • Sports
  • Global Goals
Partner feature
Daily TribuneDaily Tribune

The Philippines' leading digital newspaper.

News
  • Headlines
  • Page three
  • Metro
  • Nation
  • Dyaryo Tirada
  • Obituary (Remember Me)
Commentary
  • Columnists
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Scuttlebutt
  • Letter to the Editor
Business
  • Shipping
  • Portraits
  • Pep
  • Business Advisories
  • Technology (Tech Talks)
Life
  • Show
  • Food & Drink
  • Getaways
  • Arts & Culture
  • Social Set
  • Spaces
  • Fashion & Beauty
  • The Edit
  • Top Form
  • Next Gen
  • Sacred Space
  • Project Larawan
  • Snaps
Sports
  • Hoops
  • Volley
  • Golf
  • Goal
  • Boxing
  • Tennis
  • Esports
  • Blast

Company

  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Privacy
  • Subscribe
  • Support Us

© 2026 Daily Tribune · tribune.net.ph · Powered by Quintype

VOLLEY

Capital1 boosting offensive output

Mark Escarlote·16 May 2026, 2:07 am

Share

Capital1 boosting offensive output

CAPITAL1 won’t be relying too much on Bella Belen’s offensive prowess with the arrival of a pair of potent scorers in Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos.

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF PVL

Partner feature

Share

Google Preferred Sources

Get more Daily Tribune stories in your search results

Add Daily Tribune as a preferred source on Google Search.

Add to Google
Partner feature

Capital1 is now facing a good problem of having three of the most explosive scorers in its wing rotation.

Franchise spiker Bella Belen is stoked for the upcoming Premier Volleyball League (PVL) after the Solar Spikers went all-out following the addition of a pair of Most Valuable Players in Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos.

Determined to make a breakthrough podium finish in its second year in the pro ranks, Capital1 stacked its arsenal with battle-tested weapons as it took advantage of Cignal’s decision to take a leave of absence.

The squad, owned by the Romero sisters Milka and Mandy, signed Gandler and Santos as free agents.

The challenge for the Solar Spikers now is the process of utilizing their strengths and turning them into a three-headed monster, which can give other established clubs a run for their money.

Belen, the 2025 top overall pick, believes there’s no need for drastic adjustment on their part despite the trio being known to average almost 20 points per game in the All-Filipino Conference.

“I don’t think it will be a problem for us. Volleyball is a team effort. The more scoring options we have, the easier it is for the team to win,” the AFC Rookie of the Conference said.

“I’m very happy because we all know Ate Vanie and Ate Erika are very strong players. I’m very excited about how we’ll build our dynamics, how we will jell as a team and how we’ll complement each other since we have different skills. I’m very excited to see where we will be in this new chapter (for Capital1).”

The Solar Spikers are looking to improve from a disappointing ninth-place finish to end the season.

Belen has been vocal in her wish to play alongside Alas Pilipinas teammate Gandler in the PVL.

In fact, during the PVL All-Star Showcase held in Candon, Ilocos Sur recently, Belen admitted that she helped woo former Cignal players to consider Capital1 as their next destination.

“I really manifested and prayed for it, that we get to recruit players from Cignal because with the likes of Ate Vanie and Ate Erika, they’ll be a big help for Capital1,” Belen said.

“Even before we’ve been telling Ate Vanie to give Capital1 a chance. I guess all my efforts and convincing worked and I’m very thankful Ate Vanie gave us a chance.”

The Solar Spikers also signed veteran setter Jaja Maraguinot for next season.

But Capital1 is not yet done beefing up its roster as it looks to select a top talent coming from the collegiate ranks in next month’s 2026 Draft.

Also read

Capital gains
VOLLEY

Capital gains

Solar Spikers ramp up roster

Mark Escarlote·15 May 2026

Suggested Articles

Alas Women intensify Asian Games buildup
VOLLEY

Alas Women intensify Asian Games buildup

Only five players named by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) to the 22-man pool have yet to show up for practice…

DT·9 July 2026

Lalongisip blending well with Creamline
VOLLEY

Lalongisip blending well with Creamline

Young hitter Ishie Lalongisip has seamlessly integrated into and adapted to Creamline’s system just months into her…

Mark Escarlote·9 July 2026

PERFECTLY BREWED: ZUS Coffee displays great chemistry, edges Akari
VOLLEY

PERFECTLY BREWED: ZUS Coffee displays great chemistry, edges Akari

ZUS Coffee showcased its perfect brew to scald Akari, 25-11, 25-23, 26-28, 25-17, for a rousing start in the 2026…

Mark Escarlote·8 July 2026

Foreign spikers spice up SSL
VOLLEY

Foreign spikers spice up SSL

Local volleyball braces for the arrival of ace spikers from the United States, Guam, Australia and Vietnam when the…

DT·8 July 2026

Mouthwatering matchup
VOLLEY

Mouthwatering matchup

Nxled, Creamline headline PVL On Tour opening salvo

Sheila Figueroa·7 July 2026

PVL On Tour starts rolling
VOLLEY

PVL On Tour starts rolling

High-octane spiking erupts Wednesday as the 2027 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) On Tour Showdown takes place in Ilagan…

DT·7 July 2026