By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Capital1 leaned on the hot hands of import Oleksandra Bytsenko as it turned back Nxled, 25-20, 23-25, 27-25, 25-12, for its first win in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday, Oct. 16.
The 6-foot-1 outside hitter erupted for a conference-high 39 points built on 35 kills and three blocks as the Solar Spikers evened their win-loss record at 1-1.
“We played like a team and I felt the energy this time so I wanna say thank you to my teammates. This is our first win and I’m so happy,” said Bytsenko, whose all-around effort powered Capital1 past a resilient Nxled side.
Coach Jorge De Brito, who also celebrated his first victory with the team, had high praise for his Ukrainian reinforcement.
“She’s helping us a lot, with Bella (Belen) and the other new players. Those 39 points… it’s just a start. I think she still has much more to show,” said De Brito.
“This team is brave. They’re not carrying the past. They’re starting a new history here and I’m happy and proud of them,” he added.
Top rookie pick and three-time UAAP MVP Bella Belen also continued to impress, chipping in 15 points to help secure her first win in the pros.
“After ng game namin against PLDT, alam namin na kailangan talaga naming bumawi,” said Belen.
“Nagtulungan kami. Kapag ginagawa mo talaga yung role mo as a player sa team, talagang yung energy mo lumalabas nang kusa,” she added.
Bytsenko and Belen combined for 50 of the team’s 50 attack points. Defensively, Bytsenko also teamed up with Rachel Austero to contribute five of the team’s 10 blocks.
Nxled’s Paola Martinez and Chiara Permentilla finished with 20 and 18 points, respectively, but their efforts weren’t enough to stop the Solar Spikers’ decisive fourth-set run.
