CAPITAL1 wasted no time getting going with its rebuild, adding five new players to recharge its young core - led by Russian outside hitter Marina Tushova - for the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
And the cherry on top? The Solar Spikers securing the No. 2 overall pick in the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft.
READ: Marinduque-based setter goes to great lengths to pursue PVL dream
Co-team owner Mandy Romero and veteran head coach Roger Gorayeb are pleased to have a reinforcement of Tushova’s caliber, as the Russian spiker has taken her talents to multiple pro leagues in Russia, Switzerland, and Italy.
The 25-year-old, 6-foot-1 import was also part of the Russian national team that captured gold back in the 2016 European Under-19 Championship.
Above all, it’s her ‘Filipino fighting spirit’ and seamless connection with her young Capital1 teammates that they expect to work wonders come the import-laden conference.
“We’re proud to have signed Ms. Marina Tushova who’s an incredibly young and talented player from Russia. She has the Filipino fighting spirit that we’re all looking for that we hope could excite fans,” said Romero.
“Siyempre, ako natutuwa. Laking bata eh. ‘Yung age niya kasi, halos ka-age niya ‘yung mga present players. Ang ganda ng relationship nila. Ang saya-saya nila lagi, para silang may ordinaryong Pinoy na bata na nagkasama-sama," Gorayeb added.
"Plus, maayos mag-English, so’ yung communication, wala kaming problema.”
Adding depth and experience
Apart from Tushova, four local players are also set to enter the fray for the Solar Spikers.
Former F2 Logistics and Philippine national team setter Iris Tolenada will be their new lead playmaker in her PVL comeback.
Tolenada is set to return to the Philippines after she and Petro Gazz middle blocker MJ Phillips completed their breakthrough stints in the Korean V-League, with the now-Capital1 setter last playing for GS Caltex Seoul KIXX.
Such a veteran addition to the Solar Spikers is, without a doubt, a welcome development for Gorayeb.
“Matagal na siyang nagte-training sa’min. Masaya naman ako sa performance niya kaya nga mas priority ko ‘yung papalo kasi kapag kumuha ako ng setter, mababangko lang," he said.
“Iba ‘yung experience ni Iris eh. Sayang naman kung kukuha ako (ng setter), tapos mabe-bench lang. Gusto ko ‘yung kukunin ko, mapapakinabangan ko na, mapapasok ko na sa team, first six na namin. Ayun ang plano ko.”
Completing Capital1’s midseason player haul are ex-Strong Group Athletics hitter Ayumi Furukawa and the former Galeries Tower duo of Julia Ipac and Shola Alvarez.
With the No. 2 pick, Capital1 selects?
With La Salle ace and Alas Pilipinas’ Thea Gagate poised to go No. 1 to ZUS Coffee, multiple sources told SPIN.ph that Capital1 will use its second overall pick, bar any last-gasp changes, to land the services of her teammate Leila Cruz, who is coming off an ACL injury she sustained in UAAP Season 85.
For Romero and Gorayeb, the No. 2 pick will be a golden opportunity for the young team to raise its own bar ahead of only its second-ever PVL conference.
“We’re very excited for this upcoming conference. It’s just our second time to be in the league and to get the second overall pick, baka that’s our lucky number," said Romero.
“Of course, we will be very competitive and do our best with the team that we have. With the new, talented roster of players coming in to this league, we are just so excited to bring that heat, bring that energy to the PVL, and do what we said we wanted to do when we first joined which is to really bring a fresh new face to the PVL,” said Romero.
Gorayeb added: “Masaya kami, pangalawa kami eh. Maganda yung option namin, pero pinakamaganda kung number one."
“Titignan ko lang, siyempre height at ‘yung papasok dun sa sistema ko. Siyempre, may mga player na iba-iba ang kinalakihan nilang sistema. Kaya ‘yung sa tingin kong madaling makaka-adjust, ‘yun ang maganda.”
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