CHAMPIONSHIPS aren’t won in the elimination round.
And after Akari completed a surprising sweep of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) prelims sweep, the Chargers ought to keep that saying in mind.
The Chargers claimed just the third ever prelims sweep in league history after routing the Farm Fresh Foxies, 25-19, 25-22, 25-19, on Tuesday to enter the playoffs with a lot of momentum and confidence.
While they know they can’t fall into complacency, team captain Mich Cobb believes that they have earned to enjoy such a rare prelims feat.
“Wala pa kasi kaming nakakamit pero papunta na kami du’n. Pero sobrang ganda ng run namin so far. And as a team, nakarating kami sa ganitong part kasi nagtutulungan kami and we try not to make it a one-woman show, na we try ma-embody yung roles ng bawat isa,” Cobb said.
“Kapag may nawala, may susulpot na isa na mag-sstep up. ‘Yun ‘yung naging key namin with the leadership of the coaches. Tulong-tulong kami,” she added. “Sobrang ganda lang sa feeling na ganito ‘yung nabubuo naming team.”
And there’s a particular reason why she’ll be savoring this moment a little longer than everyone else.
She stuck with the Chargers at their worst, and has gone through seasons where they were pretty much lingering in the mid tier. So it goes without saying that such unprecedented success meant everything and more for Cobb.
“Sobrang laking bagay niya kasi ako rin siguro ‘yung naka-experience nu’ng Akari from the start. Nakita ko ‘yung difference ng past teams sa team namin ngayon so sobrang proud ako siyempre kasi ‘yun naman talaga ‘yung gusto ng franchise, ‘yung gustong makamit talaga,” she shared.
“Sobrang ganda lang sa feeling na ganito ‘yung nabubuo naming team.”
Short and ‘sweep’
Such situations are the reason why it pays to have veterans like Gretchel Soltones on their squad.
Nearly a decade in the pro-ranks now, Soltones would be the first to know how things quickly shift gear come the playoffs, and that this small success is but a part of the process for their ultimate end goal – a championship.
“Itong 8-0, part lang talaga siya ng process. Hindi siya ‘yung talaga ‘yun na ‘yun. Sabi ko sa teammates ko in every huddle na itong ginagawa natin, ito ‘yung magdadala sa atin kung saan natin gusto pumunta pero kahit nag-8-0 tayo ngayon, wala pa ring kasiguraduhan,” Soltones said.
As simple as it sounds, it really all boils down to two things for Soltones.
“Dalawa lang po. Una, maging matapang. Pangalawa, ‘wag kumpyansa.”
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
