Even the brightest stars need time to align.
Solar Spikers finally looked like a team built for the big stage, stunning Cignal Super Spikers in three straight sets, 25-23, 25-23, 25-21, to secure their second win of the PVL Reinforced Conference on Friday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Selected as No. 1 overall in the PVL Rookie Draft just months ago, the three-time UAAP MVP Bella Belen wasted no time proving worthy of the hype.
“It’s been my dream to become a professional volleyball player,” Belen said in a message from Vietnam during the PVL Rookie Draft—a dream now turning into reality for Capital1’s top pick.
From disbelief on draft night to dominance on the court, Belen has quickly turned Capital1’s promise into performance.
Belen posted 11 points and 14 digs, while Ukrainian import Oleksandra Bytsenko dominated with 23 points on 22 attacks to complete one of the most convincing sweeps in franchise history.
“This is a good sign that we’re starting to gel,” said Belen, the youngest team captain in Capital1’s short history. “We’re learning to trust each other and the system.”
It was a win forged in grit, after trailing 10–17 in the second set, Capital1 clawed its way back, sparked by Belen’s service ace and Bytsenko’s crosscourt dagger that turned the tide, 24-22.
Cignal’s Katrin Trebichavska saved one set point but faltered on the next, handing the Solar Spikers a commanding 2-0 lead they never relinquished.
Head coach Jorge De Brito lauded his squad’s composure under pressure. "We followed the plan and stayed disciplined even when we had to adjust,” he said. “The way they responded as a team—that’s what makes me proud.”
The victory marked Capital1’s first sweep since July 2024 and signaled a shift in identity for the young franchise now brimming with confidence and cohesion.
From early inconsistencies to crisp coordination, the Solar Spikers have begun to rise as legitimate contenders in Pool A play.
“We just held on and focused on our roles,” said Belen. “As long as the opponent hasn’t reached 25, we believe we can still win.”
Now at 2-2, the Solar Spikers are set for a rematch against Choco Mucho on Tuesday, carrying not just momentum, but the glow of a team discovering its power.
Solar Spikers finally looked like a team built for the big stage, stunning Cignal Super Spikers in three straight sets, 25-23, 25-23, 25-21, to secure their second win of the PVL Reinforced Conference on Friday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Selected as No. 1 overall in the PVL Rookie Draft just months ago, the three-time UAAP MVP Bella Belen wasted no time proving worthy of the hype.
“It’s been my dream to become a professional volleyball player,” Belen said in a message from Vietnam during the PVL Rookie Draft—a dream now turning into reality for Capital1’s top pick.
From disbelief on draft night to dominance on the court, Belen has quickly turned Capital1’s promise into performance.
Belen posted 11 points and 14 digs, while Ukrainian import Oleksandra Bytsenko dominated with 23 points on 22 attacks to complete one of the most convincing sweeps in franchise history.
“This is a good sign that we’re starting to gel,” said Belen, the youngest team captain in Capital1’s short history. “We’re learning to trust each other and the system.”
It was a win forged in grit, after trailing 10–17 in the second set, Capital1 clawed its way back, sparked by Belen’s service ace and Bytsenko’s crosscourt dagger that turned the tide, 24-22.
Cignal’s Katrin Trebichavska saved one set point but faltered on the next, handing the Solar Spikers a commanding 2-0 lead they never relinquished.
Head coach Jorge De Brito lauded his squad’s composure under pressure. "We followed the plan and stayed disciplined even when we had to adjust,” he said. “The way they responded as a team—that’s what makes me proud.”
The victory marked Capital1’s first sweep since July 2024 and signaled a shift in identity for the young franchise now brimming with confidence and cohesion.
From early inconsistencies to crisp coordination, the Solar Spikers have begun to rise as legitimate contenders in Pool A play.
“We just held on and focused on our roles,” said Belen. “As long as the opponent hasn’t reached 25, we believe we can still win.”
Now at 2-2, the Solar Spikers are set for a rematch against Choco Mucho on Tuesday, carrying not just momentum, but the glow of a team discovering its power.
I
Written by Insight PH
Insight PH is a dedicated campus journalist and contributor. Their insightful writing sparks meaningful conversations and keeps the community informed.
