MANILA – Mhicaela Belen finally marked her long-awaited first win in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), steering the Capital1 Solar Spikers to a gritty four-set triumph over the Nxled Chameleons, 25-20, 23-25, 27-25, 25-12, in the Reinforced Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday night.
The three-time UAAP Most Valuable Player delivered a strong all-around game, finishing with 15 points — all from attacks — and 14 excellent digs, helping Capital1 notch its breakthrough 1-1 record in the young conference.
“After pa lang nung talo namin sa PLDT, minind set na namin na kailangan naming manalo sa game na ito, parang ‘yung mindset pa lang na ‘yun nakatulong na kung papaano kaming magpe-perform,” Belen said, referring to their opening loss to the High Speed Hitters.
“Siguro, from here, kailangan naming baunin ‘yung mga natutunan namin from this game and i-improve pa ‘yung mga dapat i-improve,” added the top overall pick in the recent PVL Rookie Draft.
While Belen steadied the floor defense, Ukrainian reinforcement Oleksandra Bytsenko proved unstoppable on offense, erupting for 39 points built on 36 attacks, two blocks, and an ace, along with 17 excellent receptions.
Her scoring barrage provided the spark that allowed Capital1 to control the decisive fourth set.
Paola Martinez led Nxled with 20 points, while Chiara Permentilla chipped in 18 markers and 20 receptions in a losing effort as the Chameleons slipped to 0-2.
In the other match, the PLDT High Speed Hitters continued to stamp their class with a straight-sets victory over the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, 25-21, 25-20, 25-19, to stay undefeated at 2-0.
Savannah Davison spearheaded PLDT’s charge with 19 points off 16 attacks and three blocks, extending the team’s overall winning streak to 15 matches across all tournaments this season.
“When you are on the court, you just want to do your best for the team, just do what you were told to do, and I am happy that it panned out,” said Davison after earning Player of the Game honors./PN
