Capital1 kicks off PVL campaign on a high note with a win over ZUS Coffee

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Capital1 Solar Spikers immediately entered the winning column after taking down the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, 25-17, 25-16, 15-25, 25-19, in the ongoing Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference on Feb. 3, 2026, at the Playtime Filoil Centre.

After back-to-back clinical performances that put them a set away from scoring a sweep, the Solar Spikers entered a brief danger zone after melting down in the third set, giving the Thunderbelles a new lease on life with their first set win of the match.

Answering the call for the Solar Spikers was superstar outside hitter Bella Belen, who exploded for a new career-best 26 points built from 24 successful attacks.

Capital1 bucked a slow start in the fourth set, thanks largely to the relentless Belen, who lifted the Solar Spikers out of a 13-17 hole.

The Solar Spikers stunned ZUS Coffee with a demoralizing 9-0 scoring run to get back, powered by Belen’s four points that turned a four-point deficit into a 22-17 Capital1 lead.

Also doing their share during Capital1’s momentum-shifting blast were Shaya Adorador and Ysa Jimenez, who kicked off the run with three consecutive points.

ZUS Coffee threatened to inch closer after Chinnie Arroyo’s back-row attack, followed by a service error from Adorador.

However, Belen decaffeinated ZUS Coffee’s power with two consecutive hammering spikes to move a point away, before Arroyo’s attack went long, officially sealing Capital1’s first victory.

Aside from her 26-point showcase, Belen also stuffed the stat sheets with an all-around efficient performance of 16 excellent digs, seven excellent receptions, and two service aces.

Adorador contributed 14 much-needed points and seven excellent receptions, Jimenez added 13 points, and newly acquired Pauline Gaston finished with 10 markers.

Belen and the Solar Spikers will aim to sustain their momentum and improve to 2-0 on Feb. 7, 2026, when they face the retooled NXLED Chameleons.

On the other hand, last conference’s runners-up will look to rebound on the same date as they kick off the tournament’s doubleheader against the Galeries Tower Highrisers.