Roma Mae Doromal and the rest of the Capital1 Solar Spikers begin life without super import Marina Tushova in the upcoming 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
As a new PVL season approaches, Capital1 Solar Spikers' Roma Doromal is gearing up for a fresh set of challenges.
The promising libero, who made a notable impact in her debut in the 2024 Reinforced Conference as the 14th overall pick of the inaugural draft, expressed her determination to improve and lead her team to success.
Doromal acknowledged the significant role of super import Marina Tushova in their previous campaign, leading to Capital1's initial breakthrough. The Russian spiker led the team to a 7th-place finish in the tournament—the highest in the team’s young history so far in the league.
Tushova also broke the PVL scoring record thrice, scoring 45, 49, and 50 points in the conference.
“Of course, with the help of Marina, madami talaga kaming nagawa as a team and na-achieve as a team, pero now na wala na siya, it’s gonna be of course challenging,” Doromal told One Sports during the latest PVL Media Day, acknowledging the new challenge for the Solar Spikers as they navigate a conference on their own.
“But at the same, I know na ‘yung mga ates na kasama ni Marina na nag-work nung last conference, they will step up and hopefully talaga mag-gel pa ‘yung team and magawa namin ‘yung mga need namin lang gawin,” she added.
[ALSO READ: In Manila, Marina Tushova found her Filipina smile. The PVL record-breaker intends to keep it]
On a personal level, Doromal is looking to further up her game as she leads the Solar Spikers defense in the new season.
“For me, hindi pa ako satisfied sa naging performance ko so I’m aiming for more improvement pa and hopefully siguro ‘yung confidence ko this conference tumaas,” said Doromal. “Hopefully din ma-apply ko ‘yung mga bagong system na natutunan ko during our camp.”
[ALSO READ: PVL: Roma Mae Doromal happy to see bright spots with Capital1 despite less than a week of training]
As she prepares to take on a more prominent leadership role for the budding Capital1 team, particularly in defense and receiving, Doromal appreciates the trust her teammates have placed on her.
“What’s nice about our team [is] hindi kasi parang merong star or something, so medyo hindi ako nahirapan to gel sa team and makipag-collab sa mga ates,” Doromal explained.
“I’m happy because hinahayaan nila ako mag-lead on my own lalo sa defense area and receiving area,” she added.