BEATING Creamline has never come easy in the PVL, whether the Cool Smashers enter a match as defending champions or not.
In recent memory, only PLDT has managed to string together multiple wins against the league’s most decorated franchise.
After Thursday night, Akari can now say it belongs to that small group.
READ: Akari takes fourth straight win, snaps Creamline's run at five
The Chargers stunned the 10-time champions, 25-21, 26-24, 17-25, 25-21, to score their second straight win over Creamline following last year’s five-set triumph during the Reinforced Conference preliminaries in Dasmariñas, Cavite.
For Akari head coach Tina Salak, facing a powerhouse like Creamline demands a higher standard from her squad every time they step onto the court.
“Sa team namin kasi, every time na iba-iba yung kalaban natin, we set the standard,” Salak said.
“Mas mataas ‘yung standard natin [sa Creamline] kaya mas mataas din ‘yung pressure sa’min against sa kanila.”
The Chargers responded to that challenge with one of their most composed outings of the conference, a performance that further strengthened their belief that they can compete with the league’s elite.
“All in all, kaya naman eh. Nama-manage na namin nang maayos ‘yung game, and magandang recovery din as well. Nakapulot pa kami ng magandang inspirasyon,” Salak added.
“Ito ‘yung nagwo-work sa amin. Whatever works, we do it lang until we see the light.”
On the court, Ivy Lacsina admitted emotions can sometimes run high when Akari finds its rhythm, especially against a powerhouse opponent.
“‘Yung coaches talaga yung nagsasabi na kumalma kami dahil medyo mataas na ‘yung emotions namin,” Lacsina said.
“Sila talaga yung nagma-manage sa amin kasi baka minsan po kasi, nao-over kami sa emotions namin, nae-excite po kami.”
Mars Alba, meanwhile, emphasized that Akari never allowed itself to relax even after taking a two-set lead against a seasoned Creamline side.
“Katulad kanina, alam namin na matured talaga yung Creamline eh. Kahit two sets up kami, hindi namin masasabi if makukuha na talaga namin ‘yung next na set,” Alba said.
“Kaya nag-remind lang din kami sa isa't isa na matured yung kalaban. Kailangan ‘yung pagpasok ulit sa loob ng court, mas higitan pa or mag-focus pa lalo kasi for sure babawi talaga ‘yung Creamline.”
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