PVL: Capital1 overcomes Zus Coffee in 5 for back-to-back wins

MANILA (UPDATED) — Capital1 endured yet another five-set marathon, overcoming a one-set deficit en route to a 20-25, 25-17, 22-25, 25-20, 15-8 triumph over winless Zus Coffee in the Siklab series of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Solar Spikers, down one set, refused to give up, forcing a decider despite falling down 16-13 in Set 4. The Bella Belen-led squad uncorked a 7-1 run to overtake the Thunderbelles at 20-17 and eventually pull away.

The Zus Coffee side had a narrow 5-4 lead in the final period, but thankfully for the Solar Spikers, the sun shone on them as Belen and Vanie Gandler led the charge.

A Belen off-the-block hit sparked an eventual 11-3 finishing kick, complemented by Gandler and Cherry Nunag’s attacks, capped by Erika Santos’ game-ending kill to close out the match in two hours and 26 minutes.

“Well, a win is a win,” said Capital1 head coach Jorge de Brito during the postgame press conference.

“They’re showing up every single day. A win is a win, and of course we like to make it four or three [sets only] — but we accept the challenge that we have to grow and you have to always fight inside the court and make the chemistry come for this team,” the Brazilian mentor went on.

A game after dropping her career-high, Belen had another impressive showing, erupting for 29 points on 25 attacks and four blocks, while adding 16 digs and 15 receptions for the floor defense.

Gandler and Santos finished with 12 markers each, as Jasmine Nabor orchestrated the offense with 14 excellent sets.

On the other hand, Zus Coffee slid down to 0-2, after it could not pounce on the opportunity of finishing the match in the fourth frame.

Zam Nolasco led four Thunderbelles in double-digit scoring with 15 points, as Jolina dela Cruz had 14 markers, while Jov Gonzaga and AC Miner had 11 each.