Gaining ground: Red-hot Belen to lead Capital1 vs ZUS Coffee
BELLA Belen and Capital1 attempt to beef up their record when they tangle with ZUS Coffee on Tuesday in the PVL Season 10 All-Filipino Conference Siklab series at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Photograph courtesy of PVL
Games today:
(Mall of Asia Arena)
1 p.m. --- Capital1 vs ZUS Coffee
6 p.m. — PLDT vs Akari
Capital1 looks to ride the momentum of its first victory and main scorer Bella Belen’s scorching performance in the previous outing to start a winning streak in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Season 10 All-Filipino Conference Siklab series.
The Solar Spikers hope to bring out their A-game to get rolling against a dangerous ZUS Coffee Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Opening serve is set at 1 p.m. before winless PLDT and Akari cross paths at 6 p.m.
Capital1 recovered from an opening game five-set defeat to Choco Mucho by completing what it failed to accomplish in Cebu — walking away with a 28-26, 22-25, 25-15, 23-25, 21-19, marathon win over Akari last Saturday in Antipolo.
Belen powered the Solar Spikers in the bounce back win.
The 2025 top overall Draft pick exploded for a career-high 35 points, she laced with an equally impressive defensive display of 20 digs and 19 excellent receptions.
Capital1 expects more of the same from Belen but also from other top caliber talents in its stacked roster.
Former Most Valuable Players Erika Santos and Vanie Gandler, who scored 10 each last game, as well as setter Julia Coronel have shown great signs of embracing the system of head coach Jorge Souza de Brito following their transfer.
“We have very good players, talented players. And I think the guys we have already know the system and are adjusting to it. But, of course, since we want to fight for the championship, there's room to grow, and we're going to fight for this,” the Brazilian mentor said.
The Solar Spikers are also leaning on rookie libero Detdet Pepito, veterans Cherry Nunag, Pauline Gaston, Ysa Jimenez and Ezra Madrigal to get their winning roll going.
“We are blessed because we have these additions. But still, it's an accountability for us. It's always to grow. So, I'm happy because the guys are paying off at every single training they are doing,” De Brito said.
Capital1 is tied with idle Farm Fresh in fourth to fifth spot with a 1-1 card behind unbeaten teams defending champion Creamline, Choco Mucho and Nxled.
The Thunderbelles, on the other hand, seek to enter the win column after suffering a 20-25, 17-25, 20-25, loss to the Flying Titans last Thursday to open their campaign.
Young guns AC Miner and Zam Nolasco carried the fight for ZUS Coffee in its last outing but will need to see veterans Chai Trongcoso, Chinnie Arroyo, Fiola Ceballos, Kate Santiago and Jolina Dela Cruz.
Meanwhile, the Chargers are desperate to halt a two-game skid and finally get the elusive win.
Akari lost to Creamline in straight sets in front of a record 19,106 crowd at SM Seaside Cebu Arena two weeks ago, then fell short of an escape over Capital1.
Fifi Sharma and Eli Soyud lead the Chargers alongside Ivy Lacsina, Chenie Tagaod, setter Mars Alba and libero Justine Jazareno.