Bella Belen saved her biggest blows for the biggest moments, unleashing two thunderous off-the-block attacks in a nerve-racking fifth-set finish to power Capital1 past Akari, 28-26, 22-25, 25-15, 23-25, 21-19, in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Thursday.
With the match hanging in the balance and neither side willing to give an inch, Belen rose to the occasion, delivering the decisive blows after the Solar Spikers dug deep defensively to withstand a barrage of Akari attacks in a gripping race-to-15 that stretched to 40 points.
The former three-time UAAP Most Valuable Player capped her career-best 35-point performance with back-to-back off-the-block kills, turning a tension-filled endgame into a triumphant finish for Capital1 and sending its bench and supporters into a frenzy.
It was a fitting climax to a remarkable all-around performance by Belen, who completed a triple-double while piling up 20 excellent digs and 19 receptions. Her offensive firepower proved decisive, but her defensive contributions were just as vital in a contest where every rally carried enormous weight.
Capital1’s resolve was put to the test in a fifth set that developed into a battle of nerve, discipline and execution. The Solar Spikers had to dig out Akari attacks and keep the ball alive before creating opportunities for Belen to finish, with the Chargers refusing to back down until the final two exchanges swung the match decisively in Capital1’s favor.
The finish capped a back-and-forth encounter marked by narrow set victories and momentum swings. Capital1 took the opening set in extended fashion, before Akari fought back to level the match at one set apiece. The Solar Spikers then appeared to seize control with a dominant 10-point win in the third, only for the Chargers to regroup and force a decider with a pulsating two-point victory in the fourth.
But just when Akari seemed poised to complete the turnaround, Belen and the Solar Spikers found another gear, holding their ground in the deciding set before the star spiker delivered the finishing touches.
“Napag-usapan kasi naming during the fifth set na nandun na kami, so may chance na kaming ipanalo at hindi naman nagkakalayo ang score kahit lamang ang kalaban,” said Belen, the 2025 Rookie of the Year.
The two-hour, 33-minute victory allowed Capital1 to even its record at 1-1 after dropping a five-set decision to Choco Mucho in its opening assignment in Cebu over the weekend. The Solar Spikers had won the first two sets of that match before the Flying Titans rallied to snatch the victory, making Thursday’s escape an important test of their ability to close out a tight contest.
“Masayang maglaro sa mga ganung situations, yung kumbaga yung challenge talagang nandun. Ang iniisip ko lang kung ano pa yung pwede kong maitulong at kung ano yung kaya kong gawin para sa team,” said Belen.
For Akari, the defeat was a bitter setback. The Chargers slipped to 0-2 in the opening of three series in which every game carries significant weight, despite a formidable offensive showing and several standout individual performances.
Belen, however, did not have to shoulder the entire scoring load. Vanie Gandler, Erika Santos and middle blocker Cherry Nunag chipped in 10 points apiece, providing valuable support as Capital1 weathered Akari’s challenge.
The Solar Spikers also held a clear edge in attacking, 84-69, although they struggled to sustain the momentum generated by their commanding third-set performance. Akari made its presence felt at the net, finishing with an 11-9 advantage in blocks, and held a 4-1 edge in service aces.
“First of all, I’m happy because they’re showing the fight and the fire that we had been building since we started in Capital1. But since we have more members, really good ones that we added, I’m really happy coming off our last match,” said Capital1 coach Jorge Souza de Brito.
Capital1’s victory likewise overshadowed an outstanding playmaking performance by Akari setter Mars Alba, who dished out 32 excellent sets – three more than counterpart Jules Coronel – as the Chargers repeatedly found ways to challenge the Solar Spikers.
Fifi Sharma led Akari with 20 points, while Ivy Lacsina and Eli Soyud added 18 and 17, respectively. Their production kept the Chargers within striking distance throughout the contest, but it was Capital1 that made the crucial plays when the match reached its breaking point.
In the end, the difference came down to execution under pressure. Akari had enough firepower to force a fifth set and enough defensive muscle to make Capital1 work for every point, but the Solar Spikers found the answers in the closing stretch.
And when the deciding set demanded a finisher, Belen delivered – twice – to turn a tense, seesaw battle into a statement victory for Capital1.
