Capital1 had long awaited another chance to face Choco Mucho. When that moment finally came, the Solar Spikers made sure everyone saw just how badly they wanted it.

And they made it count – emphatically.

In a rematch of their Oct. 7 all-Filipino duel that was scrapped due to the absence of imports, the Solar Spikers flipped the script. This time, it was Capital1 that dictated the pace, executing with precision and power to sweep Choco Mucho, 25-23, 26-24, 25-19, Tuesday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in the PVL Reinforced Conference.

The win not only avenged its earlier straight-set loss to Choco Mucho but also underscored Capital1’s emergence as a legitimate threat this conference. With the victory – their third in five outings – the Solar Spikers clinched the No. 3 spot in Pool A, joining PLDT and Farm Fresh (both at 4-1) in the next phase of the two-round preliminaries. They’ll carry over their win-loss records as they battle the bottom three squads from Pool B.

For Capital1, which also swept Cignal last Friday, the back-to-back victories were more than just about standings – it was about validation.

After a string of inconsistent performances, the Solar Spikers entered the match with a renewed sense of purpose. Every rally, every defensive stand and every attack reflected a team intent on proving it belongs among the PVL’s elite. The hunger to bounce back from earlier frustrations was evident ≠ from their tightened floor defense to their relentless offensive rhythm.

At the forefront of the local charge was top rookie Bella Belen, who delivered 11 points, leading the Solar Spikers’ gritty stand in the pivotal second set that broke Choco Mucho’s resistance and gave Capital1 full control.

Behind Belen’s brilliance, Capital1 played with cohesion and confidence, showing the kind of chemistry and composure that mark true contenders.

Chel Austero also shone with eight points while Leila Cruz and Pia Abbu added six markers each for the Solar Spikers.

Choco Mucho, meanwhile, fell to a 2-3 record and will now join Cignal and Nxled in facing Pool B’s top three teams – ZUS Coffee, Creamline and Akari – in the next phase.

Marlee Smith finished with 12 points, while Maddie Madayag and Isa Molde contributed 11 and 10, respectively, for the Flying Titans, who struggled to keep pace with the Solar Spikers’ strong finishing kick in all three sets.

Two scary moments briefly dimmed Capital1’s remarkable night – but nothing could stop the Solar Spikers from sealing their most defining victory yet.

The first came midway through the third set, with Capital1 clinging to a slim 15-14 lead, when Belen took an awkward fall after a foiled attack. Play was halted but she seemed to be fine when she walked off the court.

Moments later, another blow struck. Austero, who had been a pillar of consistency for the Solar Spikers throughout the match, twisted her ankle while chasing a loose ball near the sideline with Capital1 ahead, 22-18. She, too, had to be helped out and did not return.

Despite losing two key players, Capital1 refused to crumble. Instead, the rest of the squad rallied together – showing depth, poise and heart that defined their growing identity as true contenders.

Leading the charge was import Sasha Bytsenko, who took command in the final stretch. She delivered 17 points, including the match-clinching moment – a clever drop shot that caught Choco Mucho’s defense flat-footed and sealed the one-hour, 31-minute sweep.

Bytsenko, however, was quick to deflect the credit to her teammates.

“I’m so proud of my team – they grow every game,” said Bytsenko, beaming after the win. “I’m so happy to be with them. What we show on the court is what we do every day in practice – not just the tactics, but the energy.”

That energy was on full display against the Flying Titans. Even with Belen and Austero sidelined, the Solar Spikers stayed composed and executed with confidence, proving that Capital1’s rise isn’t built on individual brilliance alone but on collective strength and belief.