Bella Belen isn’t hitting the panic button on the Capital1 Solar Spikers, even after they let a two-set lead slip away against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in their PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series opener.
Capital1 was one of the busiest teams of the offseason. It brought in former league MVPs Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos, veteran setter Julia Coronel, and No. 2 draft pick Detdet Pepito to join Belen and a young core.
Through two sets at the SM Seaside Cebu Arena, the new-look roster delivered. But the Flying Titans, who had their own reinforcements in Eya Laure, Sisi Rondina-Rosales, Dawn Catindig, and Lorene Toring, found their footing and won the last three sets for a 22-25, 18-25, 25-17, 25-20, 15-8 comeback.
Belen’s Takeaways
Belen still saw positives in the loss, pointing out that Capital1 had chances to close out the match in the third and fourth sets.
“Siguro, I think not bad naman siya sa naging performance ng team, kasi we had a chance na sana, lalo nung third set or fourth set. We had a chance na to close the game, and I think okay naman talaga siya kasi siyempre, ‘yung Choco Mucho, hindi naman talaga siya basta-bastang team,” said Belen, the reigning Rookie of the Year.
“Kumbaga, power team din talaga sila. Siyempre, nandun sila Ate Eya, Ate Sisi, so I believe maganda pa rin naman ‘yung pinerform ng team despite na natalo kami,” she added.
Capital1 Is Still Building Chemistry
Many of the Solar Spikers have played together for Alas Pilipinas. Even so, Belen admitted the group is still learning to play as one club, but she refused to use that as an excuse for the loss.
“Siguro, more on attitude na rin talaga, eh. Kumbaga, since bago ‘yung team, I mean, hindi pa kami ganun katagal nagti-training. Pero siyempre, ‘di naman namin pwedeng gawing excuse ‘yun kung bakit kami natalo,” she said.
“Pero siyempre, sabi ko nga, hindi naman porke’t nakakuha kami ng mga skillful na player eh magiging madali na sa’min ‘yung laro. Siyempre, kailangan pa rin namin ‘yung mahabang training, and ‘yun, chemistry pa rin talaga inside the court,” she added.
Numbers Game
The numbers showed what Capital1 can do when things click. Santos led the team with 22 points, and Gandler added 15 points and 14 excellent receptions. Coronel distributed 27 excellent sets, while Pepito held down the back row with 29 excellent digs.
Belen, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 PVL Draft, finished with 15 points off 13 attacks and 2 blocks. She has been dealing with a right wrist injury for the past four months.
For the three-time UAAP MVP, the next step is converting all that talent into wins, and she wants the collapse against Choco Mucho to be the only one of its kind this season.
“Kumbaga, sabi nga kanina, dapat hindi kami puro potential. Kumbaga, ‘pag tiningnan ‘yung team, nakikita ‘yung potential, pero kailangan naming lumabas na dun sa potential na term na ‘yun,” she said.
“Hindi na dapat maulit ‘to. Sabi nga, kailangan first and last na.”
Capital1 will try to bounce back against the Akari Chargers on Thursday, October 15, 1:00 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
