The locals of the Capital1 Solar Spikers will have much to prove as they gear up for the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
2024 Reinforced Conference record: 5-3 (7th place)
Key additions: Trisha Mae Genesis
Key players: Iris Tolenada, Des Clemente, Leila Cruz, Roma Mae Doromal, Jorelle Singh
Coach: Roger Gorayeb
One word to describe Capital1’s upcoming campaign
Promising.
The Capital1 Solar Spikers impressed many during the 2024 Reinforced Conference after proving that they can compete with some of the best teams in the league.
But a big question mark for Coach Roger Gorayeb's squad will be whether or not they can replicate that success in the All-Filipino Conference without super import Marina Tushova.
[ALSO READ: In Manila, Marina Tushova found her Filipina smile. The PVL record-breaker intends to keep it]
But setter Iris Tolenada is more than confident that her team can go up against the top squads anew without their Russian import.
“We still want to go into the conference with a resilient mindset. We’re an underdog team, so our thing is we just have to keep fighting. We’re also trying to connect more with the setters and hitters and see who else can contribute to the scoring department,” Tolenada told One Sports.
“I think our locals can fight well against other locals. I think they’ll be able to handle a bit more pressure that I’m putting on them, that the coaches are putting on them, so it’ll be an interesting season,” she added.
Biggest X-Factor for Capital1 this season
Leila Cruz.
The 2nd overall pick in the 2024 PVL Draft will have a full conference under her belt thus her development will be crucial for the Solar Spikers.
Cruz had come off an ACL injury which forced her to miss UAAP Season 86. Despite this, Capital1 decided to select her with their first-round pick, seeing the potential in the tall opposite hitter.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Leila Cruz hopes to repay Capital1's trust after being picked second in PVL Rookie Draft]
Should the 5-foot-10 Cruz make a huge stride this conference, Capital1 will have secured their superstar for the future alongside libero Roma Mae Doromal.
Best-case scenario
Capital1 continues its impressive run by pulling off upsets against some of the top teams in the league, with Cruz and Doromal standing out for the team as they make a playoff push.
A top six finish will be a successful conference already for the Solar Spikers.
Worst-case scenario
Without Tushova leading the team on offense, Capital1 struggles to find their go-to scorer as they finish among the bottom teams.
Bold prediction
Capital1 will finish with the 5th or 6th seed after the double elimination round of the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference.