CAPITAL1 defeated Strong Group Athletics, 25-18, 25-20, 19-25, 25-20, in a duel of teams still in a getting to know stage in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena last night.

Coach Roger Gorayeb turned to her old reliable in Jorelle Singh for the Solar Spikers to earn their first victory in three matches.

“Masaya kasi alam ninyo naman itong team na ito, less than two months pa lang kami. Every day, every practice and every game is a learning process for us,” said Gorayeb.

“Siyempre yung mga ganitong panalo makakapag-boost ng morale namin sa mga susunod naming laro. Kasi mahirap ang pinagdadaanan namin. Sabi nga nila, ‘Rome was not built overnight’, di ba? So konting tiyaga lang,” he added.

“They still have to learn everyday. Sa ganitong mga panalo, masarap-sarap matulog. Masarap ang ensayo bukas.”

After straight-set defeats to Chery Tiggo and Farm Fresh, Capital1 need not to wait long to emerge victorious, as it was able to brush off SGA’s third set win to prevail in the one-hour. 57-minute match.

Singh, who played under Gorayeb for National University in college and PLDT in club, led the way with 13 points on 12-of-31 attacks and a block.

“Sobrang nakakatuwa po kasi itong game importante sa amin kasi makakapag-boost ng morale namin. Feeling ko sa susunod na game, mas maganda na ang magiging performance namin,” said Singh.

Patty Orendain, who was fielded in second and fourth set, added nine points, Ja Lana and Arriane Layug chipped in eight points apiece, while Shyra Umand scored four of her five points from blocks for the Solar Spikers.

MJ Onofre had two blocks for a 12-point outing while Dolly Verzosa added 11 points, 13 digs and 14 receptions for SGA, which fell to 0-3.

Capital1 yielded the third set to SGA, as substitute Mer Jauculan and Justine Rebleza led the fightback.

Games tomorrow

(Philsports Arena)
4 p.m. – Galeries Tower vs Creamline
6 p.m. – Nxled vs Cignal