CAPITAL1 leapt from eighth to sixth place in a tight-knit seeding race after fending off Galeries Tower, 12-25, 29-27, 25-19, 25-18, in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Solar Spikers tied Akari’s 4-4 record, but hold the edge in match points, 13–12.
They will now have to wait for Petro Gazz’s prelims-ending match against PLDT later tonight to determine whether they stay in sixth with an Angels loss or slip to seventh otherwise.
A sorry first set blunder nearly cost Capital1 its chance to improve its playoff placement, as it absorbed a 13-point first-set whipping from the already-eliminated Highrisers, with Montenegrin spiker Jelena Cvijović and Ysa Jimenez coming out swinging in a no-bearing match.
It then took four set points in an extended second frame for the Solar Spikers to finally wrest control, with Bella Belen sparking the surge and Sydney Niegos sealing the tense tiebreak.
Belen denied any upset bid from taking shape, as she spearheaded Capital1’s breakaway from an 8-all deadlock to a 17-9 cushion, paving the way for the four-set win. She finished with a double-double of 14 points and 15 digs.
Oleksandra Bytsenko also tacked on another 30-piece to her name, firing 35 points alongside seven receptions.
But the biggest revelation for the Solar Spikers was second setter Nikka Yandoc, who delivered 19 excellent sets and a point in the much-welcome victory.
"Sobrang thankful ko kay Sasha and Bella kasi kahit hindi ok 'yung sets, pinag-adjust-an nila and pinagkatiwalaan nila ako na ako 'yung magbigay sa kanila ng bola, kaya ginalingan ko rin para ibigay sa kanila 'yung gusto nilang bola," said Yandoc.
Not enough rise
Galeries Tower wrapped up import-laced play without a win in eight games, stretching its losing skid to 15 since the qualifying round of the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference in February.
But in what was arguably their best showing yet, four Highrisers cracked double digits, led by Cvijović’s 18 points and France Ronquillo’s 17. Rookie middle Jean Asis added 12 markers, while Jimenez chipped in 11.
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