By el Amigo
MANILA — Bella Belen came through when it mattered most, unloading a match-high 35 points to steer Capital1 past Akari in a gripping five-set encounter in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series at the Ynares Center late Thursday.
The Solar Spikers prevailed, 28-26, 22-25, 25-15, 23-25, 21-19, surviving a fierce Akari challenge in a match that lasted two hours and 33 minutes.
Belen saved her decisive attacks for the extended fifth set, delivering consecutive off-the-block kills to help Capital1 close out the contest and secure its first victory of the conference.
The former three-time UAAP Most Valuable Player complemented her offensive explosion with 20 excellent digs and 19 receptions, producing an all-around performance that proved crucial in the tightly fought match.
Capital1 took the opening set in a close finish before Akari leveled the contest. The Solar Spikers regained control with a commanding third-set performance, but the Chargers fought back to force a decider.
Vanie Gandler, Erika Santos and middle blocker Cherry Nunag contributed 10 points each for Capital1, which bounced back from a five-set defeat to Choco Mucho in its opening assignment in Cebu.
Belen said the team remained confident in the deciding set, recognizing that the narrow deficit was still manageable.
She added that she enjoys high-pressure situations and focuses on finding ways to contribute to the team’s success.
Capital1 coach Jorge Souza de Brito welcomed the team’s fighting spirit, saying the players continued to show the determination they had been building since the squad was formed.
Akari, meanwhile, absorbed its second consecutive defeat despite strong individual performances. Fifi Sharma led the Chargers with 20 points, followed by Ivy Lacsina with 18 and Eli Soyud with 17, including two service aces.
Setter Mars Alba also delivered 32 excellent sets, but Akari could not prevent Belen and Capital1 from taking control in the decisive exchanges.
ia/xf
