MANILA, Philippines – From one sport to another.
After dipping its toes in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) last year, Capital1 has now ventured out to football, joining the upcoming Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Women’s League, the team announced on Wednesday, March 12.
Known as the Solar Spikers in the PVL, Capital1 will carry the monicker Solar Strikers once the PFF season rolls around next season.
The team, owned by sportswomen Milka and Mandy Romero, will be coached by former national team mentor Let Dimzon, who is fresh from leading the FEU Lady Tamaraws to their third straight UAAP championship last December.
“We’ve seen the growth of women’s sports here in the Philippines and we’re only here as vessels,” Milka, who was once part of the Ateneo football team, said.
“We want to push the legacy that we have experienced ourselves, my sister and I, as players. If we can help one woman, one girl, reach her dream through sports then we’ve done our job.”
For Mandy, their inclusion in the new league is aimed to boost the women’s football scene in the country.
“To echo the words of my sister, we’re here, as Capital1, to push the movement for women’s sports in the country. We are here to provide our full support and to show to all women athletes that professional sports is here to stay and that this is really not just about women empowerment, but also showing that girls in sports are girls who lead,” she said.
Mandy reassured that the overarching goal of the team is to compete among the league’s established squads once they enter the frame next season.
“It does take time to build a team, to create chemistry. But of course we’re starting out strong also with coach Let at the helm, and we also have great players with us. We’re very excited for the future of this team,” Mandy added.
The team will be headlined by foreign players Emma Young, who was the 2021 GSC Defensive Player of the Year and a United Soccer Coaches First-Team All-American, and Arianna del Moral, who played for Minnesota Aurora, the University of Minnesota, and St. Cloud State.
Among the locals for the Solar Strikers are PFF Women’s League Best Midfielder Hazel Lustan, former Best Goalkeeper Yasmin Alauria, and three-time UAAP champion Regine Rebosura, who was one of Dimzon’s most reliable players in the collegiate scene. – Rappler.com