Set to pick second in the inaugural Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Rookie Draft, Capital1 co-owner Mandy Romero believes the Solar Spikers are poised to take a significant step toward their goal of competing against the league's best.
“We’re very excited for this upcoming conference. It’s just our second time in the league and to get the second overall pick might be our lucky number. Of course, we will be very competitive and do our best with the team that we have,” said Romero, who co-owns the team with her sister Milka.
“With the new, talented roster of players coming into this league, we are just so excited to bring that heat and energy to the PVL. Our goal since we first joined in January has been to bring a fresh new face to the league,” she continued.
Capital1, which had a 30-percent chance of securing the top pick, nabbed the second overall pick in the draft and will make its selection after ZUS Coffee in the first-ever PVL Rookie Draft on July 8.
Romero mentioned that the team has already listed prospects but declined to reveal their names. They are looking for players who can balance the team and provide the Solar Spikers with much-needed firepower.
“Our management and I have a list of top prospects. We can’t reveal our choices, but we’re looking for someone who can balance our team and bring star power,” said Romero, daughter of sportsman and politician Mikee Romero.
Formed just less than a month before the season-opening All-Filipino Conference, the Roger Gorayeb-coached Capital1 finished second to last in their maiden PVL campaign, winning only one out of 12 matches.
Romero stated that the team gained plenty of learnings during their debut, and she hopes they can apply all of them in the upcoming Reinforced Conference.
“We put up a team in less than a month before the All-Filipino Conference. I don’t know how many times that’s been done before, but it was a challenge and an adventure we were ready for,” said the 23-year-old former Muay Thai athlete.
“We learned a lot from that initial run, and the year is just getting started. We still have two more conferences this season and we’re really looking forward to what more we can offer,” she continued.
“I’m very confident in our management and in Coach Roger (Gorayeb)’s ability to shape young players and bring out their best skills.”
Prior to the draft, Capital1 made several moves in preparation for the mid-season conference, signing Russian reinforcement Marina Tushova and Filipino-American playmaker Iris Tolenada.
