CAPITAL1 put the league on notice with five preliminary round victories to lock in the seventh seed in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference playoffs.
Punctuateed by huge upsets over Petro Gazz and Choco Mucho, Capital1 turned its one-win debut campaign around through a historic pool play run from league-leading scorer Marina Tushova (251 points).
READ: Can Akari, Capital1 ramp up Cinderella runs in PVL playoffs?
The Solar Spikers’ Russian ace reset the PVL’s single-game scoring record twice within nine days, firing 46 on Choco Mucho and then 49 against Nxled.
With a scoring machine in Tushova, a seasoned champion coach in Roger Gorayeb and three promising draft picks in Leila Cruz, Roma Mae Doromal, and Jenya Torres, Capital1 found its way to the knockout quarterfinals versus a Cignal side that won seven of its eight prelims matches.
But before their doubters became believers, team owners Mandy and Milka Romero knew that if they’d dream big enough, sky’s the limit for the Solar Spikers.
And the future for Capital1 is now.
“As team owners, we dream big. We’re in this league for the long run and know there are many challenges that come along with starting something new, but dreams become reality when you build towards them,” the Romero sisters told SPIN.ph.
“Every day, we’re all hard at work in building the identity of Capital1. Definitely, there’s more to come and more to expect from us. All in God’s time.”
'Never say die’ for Capital1
Hailing from an esteemed sporting clan themselves, the Romeros believe that channeling the ‘NSD spirit’ will allow the young Solar Spikers to become a competitive PVL team.
“We’re very excited for the team culture we’re building. From our management led by coach Roger to every player, everyone gives their whole heart on the court. We’re a young team, and that’s made everyone hungry and fight hard," they said.
“We’re very proud that this early on, the Capital1 family has a a ‘Never Say Die’ spirit.”
Results aside, it was the ‘energetic support’ from the volleyball community that overwhelmed the sister owners.
And as a ‘family-oriented team,’ the Solar Spikers intend to forge stronger ties by giving back through various community-centered initiatives.
“Other than our strategic planning for creating a formidable team, we’ve been focusing on engaging with the Capital1 Solar Spikers fan family. The fans are definitely the seventh members on the court," they said.
“We emphasize community and service through our nationwide volleyball clinics, feeding programs, and free ticket giveaways to give our fans the opportunity to live a dream of theirs to watch us live.”
The Romeros also had a parting message for those who continue to believe in the team ahead of their breakthrough playoff campaign.
As they put it, “Thank you for believing in the underdog! Thank you for resonating with our journey!”
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