BELLA Belen blew the roof off a packed San Juan venue with a career-high 29-point game for Capital1 in a 25-21, 18-25, 25-18, 19-25, 15-10 win over Choco Mucho in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the Filoil Flying V Center.
Her best scoring game, either in the college ranks or the pros, arrested a two-game skid for the Solar Spikers after turning in five clutch points in the tiebreak.
“Kahit dikitan ‘yung laro, talagang sinabi namin na kailangan naming mag-tiyaga at mag-relax kasi there were times na natataranta kami,” Belen said.
“Nilaban na naman kasi alam naming nandu’n na kami sa dulo at may chance na kaming manalo.”
Belen’s 15 digs also proved crucial from the outset, helping Capital1 sustain early momentum after racing to a sharp 7–1 start.
Choco Mucho, playing without Eya Laure, struck back with a blistering 13–1 run to open the second set and held off a late Belen-led rally to level the match.
Fresh off being named Ms. Volleyball by the Philippine Sportswriters Association a day earlier, Belen proved just why she received one of the sport's highest individual honors by sustaining her scoring brilliance in the next two frames.
She spearheaded Capital1’s push to an eight-point cushion in the third set and later tried to rally the squad to a four-set finish despite Choco Mucho’s commanding 20–7 start in the fourth.
Her scoring output became even more impressive considering she was forced to sit out most of the fourth set due to persistent cramps in her left leg.
The tightly contested decider swung Capital1’s way when Belen returned with renewed fire, scoring four straight points to turn a slim edge into a 10–8 lead.
Sydney Niegos, France Ronquillo, and Ezra Madrigal then delivered the finishing blows.
Newcomers Ezra Madrigal and Shaya Adorador chipped in seven points apiece, while Pauline Gaston and Ysa Jimenez added six each.
Wings need mending
The Flying Titans initially showed little sign of being undermanned as Laure continued to recover from her abrupt exit in last week’s loss to Creamline.
Sisi Rondina led the charge with 22 points and 10 receptions, while Des Cheng posted 15 points and 14 digs.
Kat Tolentino, who briefly went down with discomfort in her right leg, still managed to produce 19 markers.
Choco Mucho dropped to 1–3, absorbing its third straight loss of the conference.
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