The Capital1 Solar Spikers made headlines during the Premier Volleyball League offseason after assembling one of the league’s most aggressive roster revamps, highlighted by the acquisitions of former Cignal HD Spikers stars Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos to bolster the team’s attacking options.
The Solar Spikers also addressed their playmaking department by signing veteran setter Jaja Santiago, adding stability, leadership, and championship experience to a squad looking to make a leap in the upcoming season.
Amid the blockbuster signings, however, another addition quietly strengthened Capital1’s depth. Former Nxled Chameleons setter Jaja Maraguinot officially joined the Solar Spikers after parting ways with Nxled in January, marking a fresh chapter in a career that she admitted was on the verge of ending.
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Speaking to The Game, Maraguinot revealed that she had already begun preparing for life outside volleyball after being released by her former club, believing her professional career had come to an end.
“Honestly, I was looking for work at that time. I really thought volleyball was already over for me because after that, there was nothing. Then suddenly, this opportunity came, and I just decided to take it,” Maraguinot shared.
Her unexpected return came through Capital1 head coach Jorge Souza de Brito, who reached out to check on her condition and encouraged her to gradually work her way back into playing shape.
GETTING A FIRMER GRIP
Jaja Maraguinot is at ease with the steady progress she’s been making in her first few weeks with Capital1, and sees far more room for her to get her game running again. #PVL2026 @spinph pic.twitter.com/guuKt1mWmw
— John Mark Garcia (@johnmarkdg_) June 25, 2026
“Coach Jorge messaged me and asked if I was training with any team or just working out. I told him honestly that I decided to rest first. He just told me to start working out, and after a few weeks, he invited me to train with them. He also gave me time to get back into shape and didn’t force me right away,” she said.
For Maraguinot, the move represents more than simply joining a new team—it also reunites her with several familiar faces. The veteran playmaker will once again suit up alongside former Ateneo teammates Vanie Gandler, Pauline Gaston, and Roma Mae Doromal, a dynamic that could help accelerate her transition into Capital1’s system.
Despite the familiarity, Maraguinot understands that earning playing time will not come easily. Capital1 has significantly upgraded its roster, creating healthy competition across multiple positions as the franchise seeks to establish itself as a legitimate contender in the PVL.
Rather than focusing on minutes, the 27-year-old hopes to contribute through her experience and leadership.
“Maybe it’s about becoming a more mature player inside the court and in volleyball—how I can help lead the team,” she said.
After spending several months away from the sport, Maraguinot admitted the break gave her a new perspective on volleyball, a game that has been part of her life since childhood.
“Volleyball is more than just a sport. I’ve been playing since elementary school, through college, and into the pros. Those four months away made me realize I want to redeem myself and become even more invested in volleyball,” she said.
Now presented with an opportunity she never expected to receive, Maraguinot enters the new PVL season with renewed motivation and gratitude. While Capital1’s offseason acquisitions have generated excitement, the veteran setter hopes her comeback story will prove just as impactful as the Solar Spikers look to turn their revamped roster into on-court success.
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