On Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, the Capital1 Solar Spikers outlasted the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, 20-25, 25-17, 22-25, 25-20, 15-8, in another five-setter, while the Akari Chargers swept the PLDT High Speed Hitters, 25-18, 25-19, 25-22, in the 2026–27 PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series. The Solar Spikers improved to 2-1 after going the distance for the third straight game. The Chargers, meanwhile, bounced back from back-to-back losses to move to 1-2, while the High Speed Hitters dropped to 0-2.
Capital1 Survives Another Five-Setter
In the first match on Tuesday, the Capital1 Solar Spikers came back to beat the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, 20-25, 25-17, 22-25, 25-20, 15-8.
Down two sets to one, Capital1 trailed 13-16 in the fourth before Pauline Gaston sparked a 7-2 run that put the Solar Spikers ahead 20-17. They protected that lead the rest of the way to force a fifth set.
The decider stayed even until 6-6. Then Bella Belen and Vanie Gandler took over, combining for a 7-1 run that made it 13-7. ZUS Coffee got a point back when Belen’s attack went wide, but Cherry Nunag answered with a running attack, and Erika Santos finished the match with a crosscourt kill.
“Well, a win is a win, and they’re showing up every single day. A win is a win, and of course, we like to make it four or three (sets only). But we accept the challenge that we have to grow, and you have to always fight inside the court and make the chemistry come for this team,” said Capital1 head coach Jorge Souza de Brito.
“And I’m really happy. I’m proud of them because it’s not easy. It’s another comeback. We need to show up. But we are back here, and it’s always good when you come here because you win. So it’s okay,” he added.
Belen finished with a game-high 29 points on 25 attacks and 4 blocks, along with 16 excellent digs and 15 excellent receptions. Gandler and Santos added 12 points each.
Jasmine Nabor tallied 14 excellent sets, while Detdet Pepito anchored the defense with 23 excellent digs.
For the Thunderbelles, Zam Nolasco had 15 points on 10 attacks and 5 blocks. Jolina Dela Cruz contributed 14 points and 15 excellent receptions, while Jovelyn Gonzaga and AC Miner finished with 11 apiece.
Capital1 will next face the PLDT High Speed Hitters on Saturday, October 24, at 1:00 p.m. at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. Later that day at 6:00 p.m., ZUS Coffee will try to bounce back against the Creamline Cool Smashers.
Akari Smothers PLDT for First Win
In the second game, the Akari Chargers swept the PLDT High Speed Hitters, 25-18, 25-19, 25-22.
Akari’s defense set the tone. The Chargers held PLDT star Savannah Davison to just 5 points, the lowest total of her PVL career, and team captain Justine Jazareno led the effort in the back row.
Akari played without head coach Tina Salak, who was away attending to an undisclosed matter, so assistant coach Eddieson Orcullo ran the team from the bench.
“’Yung two games kasi na-loss namin, mabigat sa bawat isa ‘yun, kaya doon siguro nanggaling lahat eh. Doon nanggaling ‘yung motivation ng bawat isa saka ‘yung kagustuhan doon sa third set. Marami kasing puwedeng mangyari kapag nakuha nila ‘yung third set, kaya talagang pinilit ng bawat isa na makuha ‘yung third set na ‘yun,” said Orcullo.
Eli Soyud led the Chargers with 12 points on 11 attacks and 1 block. Jazareno finished with 15 excellent digs and 5 excellent receptions.
For the High Speed Hitters, Jessa Ordiales had 10 points.
Akari will next face the Farm Fresh Foxies on Tuesday, October 27, at 1:00 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila. Meanwhile, PLDT will try to bounce back against the Capital1 Solar Spikers on Saturday, October 24, at 1:00 p.m. at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
