Capital 1 Solar Spikers in the PVL Reinforced Conference. – MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Capital 1 may be banking on Marina Tushoba’s offensive prowess, but the Solar Spikers’ rise has also been fuelled by strong local support in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
Tusova got her team off to a flying start, scoring a record 45 points in a dramatic 13-25, 25-21, 18-25, 25-20, 15-13 win over Choco Mucho at the PhilSports Arena on Thursday.
The Russian spiker surpassed former Acalana player Priscilla Rivera’s previous single-game record of 44 points and recorded the most attacks in a single match with 43, finishing with a back-row win that sealed a dramatic victory, but coach Roger Gorayev said she achieved it because “little contributions went a long way.”
READ: PVL: Maria Tusova leads Capital 1 to victory over Choco Mucho with 45 points
Goraev praised the playmaking and leadership of setter Iris Trenada and the steady floor defense of rookie libero Roma May Doromal.
“I left everything to Iris. In the dugout, I told the players, ‘Follow Iris. Iris is an extension of me on the court. I can’t talk to you or whisper to you, but Iris is there for you guys, I talk to her. I just let her play,” said Trenada’s Gorayeb, who had an impressive 17 sets in addition to five points.
The veteran coach also praised Dromal, who contributed to the Solar Spikers’ historic night in Tusova with 16 impressive receptions and 12 digs.
“Roma is really consistent but she still has some mistakes, like the crucial one in the fifth set. She’s a great defensive specialist but she made a simple mistake. So when I told her about it, we were laughing together,” Gorayeb said in Filipino.
Read: PVL: Maria Tusova overcomes struggles in record-breaking match
Gorayeb believes the team was fortunate to have the former Ateneo captain selected in the second round of last month’s rookie draft.
“Roma is a great addition to the team. She’s very solid defensively and she’s very good at receiving. I’m glad we chose her. Why? [other teams] “If not, maybe I was unlocking her potential. She’s calm and relaxed,” he added.
Capital 1 is in Pool B with a 2-2 record and has a chance to clinch a top-three finish when they face winless ZUS Coffee on Tuesday.
In the second round, the top three teams from Pool B will face the bottom team from Pool A.
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