Solar Spikers rally past Highrisers behind Bytsenko, Yandoc, boost ranking

Capital1 overcame a lackluster first-set showing and transformed what looked like a looming collapse in the next frame into the spark that fueled a stirring comeback, carving out a morale-boosting 12-25, 29-27, 25-19, 25-18 victory over Galeries Tower in the final prelims playdate of the PVL Reinforced Conference at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Thursday.

Staring at a dangerous 21-24 deficit in Set 2 and on the brink of going down two sets, the Solar Spikers recalibrated and mounted an inspired rally. They strung together three straight points to extend the set, then outlasted the Highrisers in a tense, nerve-wracking endgame behind the trio of import Sasha Bytsenko, Bella Belen and Sydney Niegos.

The hard-earned escape leveled the match at one set apiece and instantly shifted the momentum to Capital1’s side.

The Solar Spikers still needed to toughen up in the third set before finally subduing the Highrisers, but by the fourth, they were in full command. Bytsenko sustained her game-long brilliance and punctuated the match with a thunderous power hit — her 35th point of the night — to finally slam the door on Galeries Tower’s winless campaign.

Capital1 wrapped up the two-phase prelims with a 4-4 record, climbing to No. 7 in the standings and still with a chance to rise to sixth depending on the result of the PLDT-Petro Gazz showdown later in the day.

Akari, likewise at 4-4, slipped to eighth with 12 points, while Capital1 improved to 13 points. The Chargers are thus poised to face the No. 1 team — still to be determined — once the PLDT-Petro Gazz duel concludes. The rest of the quarterfinal matchups will follow in ranking order.

While Bytsenko delivered her second-best scoring performance in the PVL after her 39-point outburst against Nxled, it was Nika Yandoc who supplied the emotional heartbeat of Capital1’s victory.

Coming off the bench in place of veteran Iris Tolenada, Yandoc seized the moment with a 19-excellent-set performance, orchestrating the offense with poise that belied her inexperience while taking over in the last two frames.

Her impact extended far beyond numbers as she not only earned the respect of her mentors and teammates but also captured her first-ever Best Player of the Game citation — a milestone that triggered an emotional outpouring.

In the post-game interview, the pressure, relief and pride all converged. Yandoc broke down in tears as she dedicated her breakout performance — and the team’s hard-fought win — to her mother, who was visibly emotional as well in the stands.

“This is for you, Mom,” Yandoc said, her voice trembling as tears streamed down her face.

She then turned reflective, emphasizing that her courage on the court came from the trust placed in her by those around her.

“Nagtiwala lang mga teammates ko. Sabi nila na gagawa sila ng paraan basta ibigay ko lang ang bola,” she said, crediting the coaching staff as well for giving her the confidence to run the team.

On a night when Capital1 needed leadership, Yandoc did more than set the ball — she steadied the team’s heart.

Belen contributed 14 points, while Niegos added seven, including the momentum-shifting block that sealed the Solar Spikers’ dramatic Set 2 win. Leila Cruz chipped in six markers, and Chel Austero and Tolenada tallied three and two points, respectively.

Jelena Cvijovic paced Galeries Tower with 18 points, backed by France Ronquillo’s 17, Jean Asis’ 12 and Ysa Jimenez’s 11. But the Highrisers were unable to recover from their second-set meltdown and ended their campaign tied at the bottom with the Chameleons at 0-8.