EVEN before going to the Philsports Arena last Wednesday, Akari knew that most - if not all - of the crowd inside will be rooting against it.
Over the last five days since the Chargers’ controversy-marred semifinals win against PLDT, their players and coaches weren’t spared from hate — several renditions of which were posted online and, quite frankly, crossed the line.
READ: Against all odds, Akari set to play in first PVL finals
Threats to players' safety on social media prompted the team to deploy added security personnel upon arriving at the Pasig venue.
And once inside, an unprecedented intensity of boos and jeers were thrown Akari’s way during team warmups, player introductions, match proper, and even until the awarding ceremony.
Safe to say, it was the opposite of the usual reception for a fledgling franchise making its first-ever finals appearance, and had just climbed out of the cellar it dwelled in during its first three campaigns.
One who received a huge chunk of fan hostilities was Ezra Madrigal, who was front and center in the contentious net touch infraction in Set 5 of the Chargers' semis win over the High Speed Hitters.
While she politely declined for comment, it was Akari's 1-2 scoring punch of Ivy Lacsina and Grethcel Soltones, both also booed lustily by the crowd, who opened up on what has been rough waters to navigate for the entire team.
As expected for Akari
Soltones, long a strong social media presence, saw the hateful reception coming days before the championship game.
They knew full well they were coming in as villains.
And at least in the newly-minted best outside spiker’s vantage point, they handled the situation well enough despite falling short to Creamline for gold.
“I know before (pa lang kami) pumunta sa game, marami at maraming mangyayaring hindi maganda. Pinrepare namin ‘yung sarili namin and kahit naman ano pang gawin naming tama o mali, meron at meron pa ring masasabi,” said Soltones.
“Sa chat pa lang po, nagcha-chat na kami na parang itong nangyari ‘yung isa sa instruments na magpapatibay din sa’min as a team."
Indeed, up until the very end, Akari stood strong together, and graciously received their runner-up finish - which, truth be told, was still a milestone for the fledgling franchise.
"Masaya pa rin naman kami. Nakita niyo naman after game, ‘di ba? Lahat kami, kahit silver, ang silver hindi basta-basta. So nakita niyo kami kanina nakangiti, pagpasok at paglabas ng dugout," exclaimed Soltones.
There’s no pleasing everyone
Harsh and hateful comments aren’t necessarily new for Lacsina, who once figured in the intense rivalry between her National U Lady Bulldogs and longtime power La Salle Lady Spikers in the UAAP. Presently as well, she's been a lightning rod for comments as she dates popular Choco Mucho setter Deanna Wong.
So what concerned her most is how her teammates, majority of whom were first-timers in the limelight of championship volleyball, weren’t used to such atmosphere.
“Lagi ko namang sinasabi na maganda man o hindi ‘yung ginagawa mo, may masasabi sila. Hindi naman ako pumunta du’n para lang din sa kanila and ni-rerespect ko naman kung anong mga gusto at hindi nila gusto,” said Lacsina.
At the end of it all, Lacsina reminded that you can't win all the time and with everyone. All that mattered was their team and how they dealt with all the emotions of the past few days.
“Young team kami. Hindi lahat, sanay sa ganung crowd kaya ginuide na lang namin ‘yung mga bago and ‘di pa sanay sa ganun," she said.
"‘Di namin siya totally na-block out sa’min. Sabi nga ni coach Taka [Minowa], may effect siya, pero nasa player na ‘yun kung paano iha-handle.”
They fell short this time around, but without a doubt, the Chargers took away both the loss AND lessons for the future. And don't forget, there are many times where the villains get the last laugh.
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