Backup setter Nikka Yandoc sparked the Capital1 Solar Spikers' comeback win over the Galeries Tower Highrisers, earning a strong case for more playing time heading into the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference quarterfinals.
Needing a spark in their final preliminaries match in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference, Capital1’s backup setter Nikka Yandoc delivered exactly that.
Inserted into the match for Iris Tolenada after the Galeries Tower Highrisers took the first frame, Yandoc orchestrated the Solar Spikers’ turnaround to secure a four-set victory, 12-25, 29-27, 25-19, 25-18, on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The young setter finished with 19 excellent sets and a point, providing steady ball distribution to their main spikers in import Sasha Bytsenko and Bella Belen.
A 'good problem' for Capital1’s coaching staff
Head coach Jorge De Brito said Yandoc’s standout performance opened up more minutes in the lineup heading into the quarterfinals.
“Both of them [setters], they have different kinds of characteristics,” De Brito explained to One Sports. “Of course, they follow the game plan, but they also deliver differently. So we’ll study what fits better.”
Nikka Yandoc sets the ball during Capital1's four-set win against Galeries Tower. | Photo: PVL
While De Brito didn’t reveal who will start in the knockout round, he emphasized how Yandoc has made the setter rotation richer and more competitive.
“We’re really comfortable with the setters we have now, so we can choose between those three,” he added. “Right now, she [Yandoc] just shows up for everybody, and she keeps on showing up in training. It’s a good problem for the coaches.”
Ready when called
Despite the limited time to prepare, De Brito believes Yandoc has all the tools to handle a bigger workload.
“You have a short time to prepare, but she has all the skills to start,” he said. “I don't want to give the opponent who’s going to be starting, so they have to feel that they can win those three.”
For her part, the former Adamson standout continues to work with her spikers to adjust her sets based on their preference.
“Sa practice naman po sinesetan ko sila and tinatanong ko sila sa mga adjustments. Sinabi ko rin sa kanila during our meeting na we have to communicate pa lagi kahit hindi ako ‘yung first setter, alam ko ‘yung gusto nilang bola,” said Yandoc.
Currently the sixth seed, the Solar Spikers await their quarterfinal opponent, depending on the outcome of the final two matches.
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.