Capital1's Marina Tushova reset the PVL scoring record twice in 10 days in the 2024 Reinforced Conference.
Capital1’s Marina Tushova has been undoubtedly the star of the ongoing 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
The youthful import out of Russia is a force to be reckoned with, leading the Solar Spikers to a strong 4-2 start in the conference.
Tushova’s highlights include breaking the PVL record for points twice. She scored 45 points against Choco Mucho last August 1, surpassing the previous high of 44 by Akari’s Pris Rivera in 2022.
[Related: Marina-mania: Marina Tushova eager to ‘work more’ for Capital1 after historic scoring night vs. Choco Mucho]
Just nine days later, Marina broke her own record, scoring 49 points in a masterful performance against Nxled.
Banking on Tushova as their first-ever import was a gamble for Capital1, a gamble that has been paying off.
“I have to stick to my gut feeling, my instinct as a volleyball coach. I’ll stick to her no matter what,” head coach Roger Gorayeb said on Marina.
“If I lose, resign ako. Marina has proven a lot that I made the right choice,” he added.
[Related: PVL: Marina Tushova fires 49, shatters own PVL scoring record in Capital1’s reversal over Nxled]
In looking for an import for the Reinforced Conference, the Solar Spikers quickly decided on Tushova essentially as soon as she came up on their radar.
The streamlined process only ended up being a foreshadowing of their strong partnership, one that now includes individual league records and potentially, a team breakthrough.
At 4-2, the Solar Spikers near the PVL playoffs in just their second conference as a PVL franchise.
“I talked to a certain person, I asked him can you recommend two players. He sent me two videos, and then yung video nung una I have reservations. When he sent Marina’s video [I said] ‘I’ll take this player,’” Gorayeb said on scouting Tushova.
“Napaka-simple lang nung usapan na yun. Two days lang, we tried to contact her agent. Ganun lang ka-simple, in less than five days she was already signed.”
(With reports from Jamie Velasco/One Sports)