Capital1’s Leila Cruz during the PVL Reinforced Conference. –PVL IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines — Leila Cruz, Capital1’s second overall pick in the inaugural PVL draft, is determined to repay the team’s trust and prove herself by embracing a bigger role in the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference.

Coming off an ACL injury that sidelined her for one year, Cruz didn’t expect to get the trust of the fast-rising volleyball club owned by Milka and her sister Mandy Romero.

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“They still trusted me na kunin ako So super happy ko lang na naging part din ako ng team na ito.  Hindi ko rin talaga in-expect to be honest na maging part ako ng team na ito. Pero grateful ako na nandito ako kasi super love ko yung team,” Cruz told Inquirer Sports.

READ: PVL: Capital1’s Leila Cruz slowly but surely revealing full potential

Missing most of the UAAP Season 85 action and the entire Season 86, the 24-year-old opposite spiker admitted it was challenging to prove herself in the draft since she focused on strength and conditioning and had less ball training. 

Thanks to the opportunities including a few training sessions with Alas Pilipinas. Cruz was able to gain confidence and prepare for the draft, which led to being a Solar Spiker.

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“Buti na lang, meron akong mga na-training-an with Alas na naka-help din sa akin. Sa experience ko na nakasabay ako kahit papano. Naka-help yun na mabalik yung kumpiyansa ko para sa drafting,” said Cruz.

With a chip on her shoulder, the La Salle product is eager to do more for Capital1 now that they will play without Marina Tushova, who took them to greater heights in the Reinforced Conference. 

“Super motivated naman talaga ako. Hindi lang para patunayan sa kanila na kaya ko, kundi para rin sa sarili ko. Kasi personal goal ko rin naman talagang lumakas ako and makabalik talaga ako sa form ko before at mas higitan pa yun,” said Cruz.

“I can say now, mas nag-improve talaga yung skills ko. Kasi pinaghandaan ko rin naman talaga siya, both conditioning at saka sa skills.”

READ: PVL: Leila Cruz out to prove worth as Capital1’s No. 2 pick

Cruz admitted that it won’t be easy filling in the huge void left by Tushova but the Solar Spikers are encouraging to help each other to continue what the Russian spiker started.

“Malaking part talaga last conference si Marina sa amin. Pero siyempre kailangan talaga namin maging solid pa para mapunan yung pagkawala niya. Iba talaga si Marina, pero siguro magagawa namin yung mga nagawa niya if we’re gonna help each other,” Cruz said. “Feel ko kailangan lang namin magtulong-tulong and kung ano yung role mo sa loob, gawin mo para manalo.”

“Yung progress naman namin I think I can say na unti-unti naman nakikita ko yung improvement namin as a team and talagang kahit papaano I can say na naging super close kami sa preparation namin  which I think can help us sa league na ito. Kasi syempre sa isa’t isa rin naman kami kukuha ng lakas,” she added.

Cruz starts her second PVL conference when Capital1 debuts on Tuesday against Chery Tiggo at Philsports Arena.