The Capital1 Solar Spikers look poised to be more competitive in the PVL with their retooled core led by top pick Bella Belen.
The Capital1 Solar Spikers have positioned themselves as a team to watch following the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft.
Having secured consensus top pick Bella Belen in this year’s rookie draft, owners Milka and Mandy Romero know that the Solar Spikers will have the necessary pieces to compete once the current PVL season resumes later this year.
“From the day that we got the lottery pick, the first pick, that was really a good advantage for our team. Kasi yung momentum po namin, we want to have a stronger lineup, stronger strategy for the team moving forward, and the first pick was very helpful for that,” Milka said during the draft festivities held at the Novotel Araneta in Cubao.
“Talagang pivotal moment ito for Capital1, so we thank all the fans for joining us in this journey. And really more to expect from Capital1, we’re only getting bigger and brighter!” added the younger Mandy.
Belen is expected to bring her leadership along with immense volleyball IQ to the Solar Spikers, which already boast a younger core led by sophomores Leila Cruz, and Roma Mae Doromal, and veterans such as setter Iris Tolenada, and skipper Jorelle Singh.
Milka described the three-time UAAP Most Valuable Player as a “franchise maker” and “game changer” who brings a massive boost of energy for the up-and-coming Solar Spikers.
“Definitely, this is a new era and new energy sa franchise namin. Alam naman namin na si Bella Belen is a franchise maker. Game changer po talaga siya,” Milka said of Belen’s impact.
Being former athletes themselves, the Romeros also vowed to provide the best athlete-centric environment for Belen and the Solar Spikers moving forward.
“You know, we constantly talk to our players about what do they feel, or what do they think na mas kailangan i-improve with our program. So we want to be more technical. More plays, more improvement, and strengthening,” Milka said of their team culture.
“Not only the new set of players, pero ‘yung mga veterans na nasa Capital1, kaya this will be a good start for us…Again, it’s another year na mayroon na expectations sa ating coaches, mayroon na kaming expectations sa ating mga players.”
Change in strategy
Along with Bella Belen, Capital1 secured the services of middle blocker Pia Abbu from UST and Ivy Aquino from the Asian Institute of Maritime Studies (AIMS) from this year’s PVL rookie draft.
Apart from their rookies, Capital1 has also signed a new head coach in Jorge Souza de Brito, who replaced the legendary Roger Gorayeb days before the draft. For the Romeros, it’s the right move in order to meet the expectations they have set for the Solar Spikers.
“He’s very technical, and we have been in talks with him and we like his style. Today, nanalo ang Alas [versus Indonesia], and that goes to show na over time, pag may patience ka sa team, it’s not a one-day turnaround,” Milka said, with Alas overcoming Indonesia in the 2025 AVC Nations League hours before the draft at Novotel.
“Pero we’d like that in our team na over time, nakikita natin ang growth ng Alas, growth ng Capital1. And with our coach and this new set of players, excited po kami ni Mandy.”
The Romeros, though, stressed that Gorayeb will remain part of Capital1’s rise to contention, only being reassigned into a consultancy role following De Brito’s arrival as lead tactician.
“Coach Roger, we’re very grateful to how he shepherded us through this past year, and he will continue to guide us with Capital1. So we’re very glad to create more strategies together and to continue to improve our system,” Mandy said of the Solar Spikers’ coaching changes.
With a retooled core at their disposal, the Romeros are now expecting Capital1 to churn out winning results as their journey in the PVL continues to move forward.
“What we want is results, so hopefully with this [core] we put in place, kami ng sister ko, from the coaching staff to the players, it’s up to them now [to produce results]. Sila po ‘yung expert, sila po ‘yung nasa court, so we want to see the results this time,” Milka concluded.
Banner images courtesy of Cas Aseoche, UAAP Media Bureau, and the Premier Volleyball League.