Middle blocker Rachel Austero’s move to Capital1 proves to be worth it.
When Rachel Austero joined the Capital1 Solar Spikers, all she wanted was the chance to prove herself.
Following her three-year stay with the PLDT High Speed Hitters, Austero joined Capital1 over the offseason in the hopes of receiving more playing time. While PLDT had become her second family, Austero knew that it would be tough to crack a rotation bannered by stars Mika Reyes, Majoy Baron, and Alas Pilipinas mainstay Dell Palomata.
“Actually, ‘yun talaga ‘yung hinahanap ko. Sabi ko nga, it’s hard to leave my former team, pero gusto ko mapakita pa ‘yung full potential and ‘yung burning desire ko dito sa heart ko,” Austero told The GAME after Capital1’s 25-23, 26-24, 25-19 upset over the Choco Mucho Flying Titans on Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Often relegated to the reserve list with PLDT, Austero has become a staple within Capital1’s rotation, emerging as a sparkplug amid their promising run in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference.
Austero finished with eight points and six digs against the Flying Titans on Tuesday — numbers that perfectly capture the role that she’s embraced on the court with the Solar Spikers.
“It’s just so nice na parang may freedom ka lang maglaro kasi alam mo ‘yun? Like you know, you’re just dancing with the groove,” she said of her new-found role.
More than playing impactful minutes on the court, Capital1 has also given Rachel Austero a new family that has pushed her out of her comfort zone. This time around, Austero is joining a young core with the Solar Spikers, rather than the veteran-laden teams she was once part of earlier in her career.
Although it was an entirely new environment at first, it didn’t take long for Austero to feel at home with her new team.
“Well, we know each other kasi small world lang naman ang volleyball, but iba ‘yung may deeper relationship with them. But as time went by, parang pag binigyan mo ng chance na malaman or matutunan mo where they are coming from, especially me, parang ang saya. I really found a home and a really good community,” she said.
In joining Capital1, Rachel Austero ended up with a family that welcomed her with open arms, all while giving her the chance to prove her mettle on the court. It may have been a leap out of her comfort zone, but Austero knows that it’s a move that’s been nothing short of rewarding.
“It’s different and really nice kasi syempre ang dami ko nang experience with my past few teams, but iba ‘yung fresh grad! Ang lalakas nila and iba ‘yung fire, iba ‘yung grit talaga na parang sige, go lang, kaya mo ‘yan!” Austero said with a bright smile.
“Parang hindi mo na sila kailangan buhatin kasi kayo lahat nagtutulungan, which is the best thing sa team and gumagaan lang talaga lahat ng gawain.”
Images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.