PVL: Capital1 outlasts Eya Laure-less Choco Mucho as Bella Belen drops career-high 

Capital1 had to dig deep even against an undermanned Choco Mucho side, hacking out a hard-fought 25-21, 18-25, 25-18, 19-25, 15-10 victory in 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.

The Solar Spikers' bench stepped up in the final frame but it was Bella Belen's career-high outing that salvaged Capital1. She erupted for 29 points anchored by 25 attacks, two aces, two blocks together with 15 digs in the five-set escape that improved Capital1's standing to 2-2. 

The Flying Titans, missing Eya Laure who got injured last game against Creamline, endured their third consecutive loss to slip to 1-3. 

Belen took charge in the deciding frame with the three-time UAAP MVP burying back-to-back points, including a denial on Caitlin Viray's opposite kill, to bring her side to a crucial 8-6 cushion. 

She then unleashed a drop ball from the back row to make it a 10-8 lead as they slowly pulled away from the struggling Flying Titans. 

Capital1 also got enough help from its supporting cast with the likes of France Ronquillo and Syd Niegos delivering vital points in the final frame to help the franchise take a 12-9 advantage.

Kat Tolentino halted Capital1's momentum by soaring for a cross-court hammer from the right wing, but Capital1 responded with three straight points to close it out. 

Deanna Wong muffed her service while Ezra Madrigal and Leila Cruz conspired to put the roof against Sisi Rondina for the match point, 14-10. 

The door finally shut on Choco Mucho when Viray’s opposite kill sailed off. Though the Flying Titans challenged the call, the review upheld the decision, sealing Capital1’s victory.

"For me, maganda 'yung pinakita ng team kasi hindi naman po madaling kalaban 'yung Choco Mucho. Palaban din sila na team. And kami, kailangan naming gawin 'yung role namin as a player," Belen said. 

"Dikit 'yung laro and sabi namin, kailangan namin ng tiyaga kasi there are times na natataranta kami and doon kami nawawala sa momentum. 'Yung fifth set talagang nilaban lang namin."

Without Laure, Rondina, Tolentino, and Desiree Cheng carried the load for the Flying Titans. Rondina led the charge with 22 points and 10 receptions while Tolentino and Cheng chipped in 19 and 15 markers, respectively. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News