CAPITAL1 is getting comfortable in five-setters, and Bella Belen continues to lead the way.
The Solar Spikers recovered from a sluggish start to beat ZUS Coffee, 20-25, 25-17, 22-25, 25-20, 15-8, for their second straight win in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
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It was Capital1’s third consecutive five-setter, with Belen delivering another triple-double to fuel the comeback. She finished with 29 points, 16 digs and 15 receptions, following her 35-point career game in the Solar Spikers’ previous win over Akari.
Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos chipped in 12 points apiece, with Santos putting the finishing touch on the five-set win through the match-clinching kill.
Capital1 had to overcome an early 10-point deficit in the opening set before Belen helped turn the match into a back-and-forth affair. The Solar Spikers answered with a dominant second set but found themselves trailing two sets to one after ZUS Coffee reclaimed the lead.
Rather than let the Thunderbelles pull away, Capital1 regrouped in the fourth set to force a decider, where the Solar Spikers seized control and closed out the victory.
“Importante yung paano kami magperform on our level. Yung intensity at yung galaw namin hindi dapat magbago hanggang dulo,” Belen said.
Zam Nolasco led ZUS Coffee with 15 points from the middle, while Jolina dela Cruz added 14 points and 15 receptions.
The Thunderbelles, meanwhile, remained winless at 0-2, unable to sustain their strong opening-set showing against a Capital1 side that has found ways to survive another five-set battle.
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