Capital1 Solar Spikers import Marina Tushova did not hold back on her thoughts about the level of play in the Philippines.
Marina Tushova is not one to shy away from speaking her mind.
The 25-year-old Russian spiker has been front and center in the Capital1 Solar Spikers’ jump in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
Tushova already helped the Solar Spikers achieve the biggest win in the team’s young history, after shutting out the defending champions Petro Gazz Angels in straight sets.
Capital1’s import finished with 24 points on 23 attacks and one service ace.
“There’s good defense, and you’ll never know how a team will play against you like today. No one thought that we’re gonna play like this, but we were starving for our win, and we did it," Tushova said during the post-game press conference.
This being her first PVL stint, Tushova was asked about her thoughts on Philippine volleyball—and she made sure not to hold back.
“Sorry if it’s gonna be rude, so [Philippine volleyball] it’s not that high quality like [in] sets, passing,” Tushova explained.
But whatever Filipinos may lack in terms of skill, Tushova says their passion for the game makes up for it.
“But [Filipinos] always want the best of everything, and you enjoy the game, and you have a big desire. It’s hard to play, even in international-level competitions. Sometimes, you play so good like Japan, like all Asian teams,” said Tushova.
As the Solar Spikers continue their impressive run so far in the conference, coach Roger Gorayeb hopes that Tushova’s knowledge and skill for the game can rub off on his locals as he also looks ahead to the All-Filipino Conference.
“Marina, after this conference, will be leaving but she will be leaving us a good example for the All-Filipino Conference. These players will learn many things from Marina and I hope they learn it and put it in their hearts. Lalakas pa kami,” said Gorayeb.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Capital1 stars thankful for coach Roger Gorayeb’s trust after historic upset against Petro Gazz in Reinforced Conference]