Capital1’s Marina Tushova shined the brightest on a Thursday afternoon filled with new pages in the PVL history books.
At 6:07 p.m. on Thursday, Capital1’s Marina Tushova scored her 45th point at the Philsports Arena, sealing the Solar Spikers’ five-set win over the Choco Mucho Flying Titans.
Tushova had reset the PVL’s single-game scoring record in winning the contest, surpassing Priscilla Rivera’s 44-point outing in November 2022 with Akari. Built on 43 attack points, she also eclipsed Lakia Bright, who held the single-game record for kills with 41 until Thursday.
Set up by Leila Cruz, the Russian unleashed a back row spike that broke through Maika Ortiz’s single block to seal the records and a win for Capital1. Thanks to Tushova, the Solar Spikers also improved their hold on Group B’s third spot with one first-round game left.
In her post-game interview, however, Marina Tushova was modest about her performance. It’s safe to say she wasn’t looking at her stats either, as she admitted, “All the game, I felt like I [didn’t] do anything”.
Like a true competitor, it was all about “doing more” to ensure her team won the crucial match. Team play was also important for Tushova, who expected all-around contributions from her teammates. As she puts it, “No one will give us nothing.”
“So about this 45 points, it’s good for sure. But I’m not like on top of my career, or better than someone else. No, it’s just one game,” Tushova told reporters post-game.
“I don’t understand that the game was finished, so I need to calm down. Maybe after, yes for sure, it will be on my career like a big point. I’m proud of me, really…But for now, I don’t feel it at all. But thank you, I appreciate it,” she added.
Tushova’s performance came amid off-court struggles, as she revealed that she was unable to sleep on Monday night and was also unable to eat on the day of the match, likely due to the stress she had been feeling lately.
“I was fighting with my stress all these days. Yeah, it was another preparation for exactly this game. I did [other] things I cannot share with you all. But yeah, it was different,” she said, also thanking her team and support systems.
Meanwhile, Capital1 mentor Roger Gorayeb lauded Tushova and motivated her to “hit it as hard as she can” in Thursday’s slugfest.
“Kasi mayroong mga instances na ang lakas sa backline. Marina is very strong pero marami siyang ginaganon-ganon, marami siyang ini-off speed. Syempre pagod, maybe she’s tired,” Gorayeb shared.
In fact, Marina Tushova’s 45th point was due to Gorayeb’s trust in her. Simply put, it was live and die with the Russian in the game-winning rally.
These were his “specific instructions” to setter Iris Tonelada: “No one else except Marina. Give it to her. If it’s outside, so be it. Eh pinalo nito!, tumama don sa block, oh edi nanalo kami. Ganun lang naman ‘yun.”
While proud of his import, Gorayeb also urged his locals to step up their involvement. For Thursday’s contest, this came in the form of small but impactful contributions, such as helping Tushova with net defense following their first-set loss.
“Marina, for that matter, she will make points. But we cannot put everything on her, mabigat, kawawa naman ‘yung bata. ‘Di naman siya nagpunta dito para tulungan kami. Kailangan, magtulungan kami.”
Playing with emotion
Without question, Marina Tushova has left her mark on Philippine volleyball with her historic outing.
But at the same time, Philippine volleyball has left a mark on her. Normally a cool player, she’s acknowledged her need to be more emotional on the court in the PVL.
“So here, I can see the difference when I’m playing with emotions and without,” she said.
“So when everyone can hear me, I do a better job. And yes, it’s like this, so I have to think about it and I have to change my game to be more emotional.”
As Gorayeb puts it, a vocal Tushova will inspire Capital1. In his view, doing so shows the importance of being in perfect shape. Gorayeb himself acknowledged Tushova’s response to this challenge.
“Naririnig niyo ba ‘yung tili niya [earlier]? Siya ‘yun eh,” shared Gorayeb. “Sabi ko kay Marina, I want to hear your voice because it gives us inspiration…Marina is on her tip top shape, we have to follow her!’”
With the crossover pools looming, Marina Tushova’s scoring explosion is a timely boost for Capital1’s second PVL conference. Alongside their overall fight, Tushova’s performance also runs parallel to the team’s continued improvement throughout the Reinforced Conference.
“Alam nyo, masaya ako from the very beginning of this tournament, ang laki ng inimprove ng team. Basta, hindi ko ma-contain ‘yung happiness ko. Now, nandito pa si Marina, sabi ko nga sa kanya, ‘I would rather see you in my team than on the other side!’,” said Gorayeb with a light chuckle.
Banner Image courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.
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