Bogor, en.SERU.co.id – Jakarta Popsivo Polwan secured their spot in the Final Four of the 2026 Proliga women’s volleyball competition after defeating Medan Falcons in a decisive match. The game took place at GOR Candradimuka, Padepokan Voli Jenderal Polisi Kunarto, Sentul, Bogor, on Friday night, February 27, 2026. Led by Amalia Fajrina Nabila and her teammates, Popsivo Polwan won convincingly with a 3-0 scoreline (25-10, 25-19, 25-15).
From the opening set, the team representing the Indonesian National Police (Polri) applied relentless pressure, preventing Medan Falcons from mounting any effective response. Popsivo’s Serbian head coach, Darko Dobreskov, explained that the victory was part of the team’s deliberate effort to build momentum heading into the Final Four.
“We worked hard to rebound in the second round of the competition. The first round was challenging, but we’ve focused on improving the team as we prepare for the Final Four matches,” Dobreskov stated.
The match held special significance for Popsivo Polwan veteran Bethania de la Cruz. The Dominican Republic native, born May 13, 1987, announced her retirement from professional volleyball following this game—her final appearance in the league.
Bethania had been a cornerstone for Popsivo Polwan throughout the 2026 Proliga season, amassing 205 points up to their previous match against Bandung BJB Tandamata on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
Coach Dobreskov praised her contributions over two seasons with the team.
“Bethania is an extraordinary player. You could see her performance tonight. She was outstanding and demonstrated incredible dedication to volleyball,” he said.
Senior Popsivo player Rita Kurniati (born September 27, 1978) expressed gratitude for Bethania’s commitment to volleyball, particularly during her time in Indonesia. As a mother to volleyball players Alfin Daniel Pratama and M. Setyabima Putra, Rita highlighted the value of Bethania’s international experience—including Olympic appearances—as inspiration for the younger squad members.
“Bethania’s role in the team has been remarkable. Her Olympic experience can be passed on to the young players in Popsivo Polwan,” Rita remarked.
Bethania herself described mixed emotions about retiring after three seasons in Indonesia. She first joined Jakarta Pertamina in 2018 and later moved to Popsivo Polwan, where she built strong connections with fans and the community.
“It’s a bittersweet feeling. I’ve played three seasons here in Indonesia, and I’ve been truly impressed by the people. The fans have made me feel at home since my first time in Jakarta in 2018,” she shared.
“Although I never won a championship title in Indonesia, the country will always hold a special place in my heart throughout my volleyball career,” the Santo Domingo native added.
With this result, Jakarta Popsivo Polwan joined Gresik Phonska Plus Pupuk Indonesia and Jakarta Pertamina Enduro as the confirmed teams in the Proliga 2026 Final Four. The team, featuring players like Chelsa Berliana, has recorded seven wins from 12 matches so far in the season.
From the Medan Falcons side, coach Marcos Sugiyama (of Japanese-Brazilian descent) expressed satisfaction with his team’s development despite not securing a win this season. In their second year in the Proliga, the squad—particularly its young players—has shown consistent progress.
“Throughout Proliga 2026, we haven’t achieved victories yet, but our gameplay has improved day by day,” he noted.
“I hope the young players of Medan Falcons continue to grow from the valuable experience gained in Proliga 2026,” Sugiyama concluded. (* /rhd)
