After finishing eighth in the previous conference, the Capital1 Solar Spikers are leaning into experience and fresh faces as they chase a breakthrough in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference. Young opposite hitter Bella Belen, in particular, is among those energized by the team’s offseason overhaul.
Capital1 bolstered its roster in the offseason with veterans, including Pauline Gaston, Cherry Nunag, Shaya Adorador, Jasmine Nabor, Ezra Madrigal, France Ronquillo, Ysa Jimenez, and Rachel Jorvina, aiming to add stability and leadership after a challenging finish to last season.
Belen said she is keen to absorb as much as she can from the seasoned players now in the fold.
“Sa team din namin, halos half ng players bago talaga, so I’m very happy din kasi ‘yung mga napunta sa aming players alam kong makakatulong talaga for our team. I’m very excited kung ano ‘yung puwede kong matutunan from them and kung ano ‘yung puwede naming madala sa conference,” she said.
Bella Belen Looking Forward to Competitive Season
Last conference, Belen finished as the 12th-best scorer with 124 points in her debut season, showing promise early in her PVL career. Now, she is looking forward to facing familiar foes, including her longtime Alas Pilipinas teammates Jia De Guzman of the Creamline Cool Smashers and Eya Laure of the Choco Mucho Flying Titans.
“Niloloko ko nga sila before nung nasa national team pa kami na kapag kami ‘yung magkalaban, huwag silang maglaro. Ayun kasi nakasama ko na rin sila nang matagal as teammates. I’m very excited din kung paano ako magpe-perform kung sila ‘yung kalaban ko kasi kilala ko sila,” Belen recalled.
“Pero siyempre, magkakaibang sistema bawat team, and I’m very excited sa matchup namin,” she said.
Belen also acknowledged the league-wide talent upgrade, predicting a high level of competition throughout the season.
“Siguro malaki rin siyang challenge for us since ‘yun nga, kahit nagkalaban na before, ibang klase pa rin this conference kasi lahat ng teams talagang nag-level up. Siyempre, sana kami din, tina-try namin ‘yung best namin every training to level up ‘yung game namin para maganda ‘yung maipakita namin this conference,” concluded the Capital1 star.
Capital1 Solar Spikers 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference Schedule
Here is Capital1’s match schedule for the preliminary round of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference:
February 3 (Tuesday) vs. Zus Coffee Thunderbelles at 6:30 p.m. • FilOil Centre
February 7 (Saturday) vs. Nxled Chameleons at 6:30 p.m. • TBA
February 12 (Thursday) vs. PLDT High Speed Hitters at 4:00 p.m. • FilOil Centre
February 17 (Tuesday) vs. Choco Mucho Flying Titans at 4:00 p.m. • FilOil Centre
February 21 (Saturday) vs. Creamline Cool Smashers at 4:00 p.m. • FilOil Centre
February 26 (Thursday) vs. Farm Fresh Foxies at 4:00 p.m. • FilOil Centre
March 7 (Saturday) vs. Akari Chargers at 6:30 p.m. • FilOil Centre
March 14 (Saturday) vs. Cignal Super Spikers at 6:30 p.m. • TBA
March 21 (Saturday) vs. Galeries Tower Highrisers at 1:30 p.m. • FilOil Centre
