AKARI is off to a hot start in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
First to reach two wins this season, the Chargers ruled yet another four-set contest, 25-14, 25-21, 19-25, 25-23, over a new-look ZUS Coffee side on Thursday at the Filoil Ecooil Centre.
Ivy Lacsina underlined her credentials as Akari’s go-to scoring weapon with 24 points on 22 attacks, one block and one ace.
It has been a new lease on life for veteran spiker Eli Soyud as she rides Akari’s strong show of form with 15 markers in her second straight start for Akari.
From one veteran ace to another, Grethcel Soltones put up the season’s first triple-double with 10 points, 11 digs and 11 receptions.
When good becomes better
Albeit marred with controversy, the Chargers’ best-ever league campaign in its two-year franchise history saw them reach the PVL Finals for the first time and fall just one win shy of a perfect title run.
Entering its first import-less conference since its newfound success, Akari’s long-term pursuit shifts from aiming at the top to staying there for good.
They now know what it takes to fight for championships. But in the league’s longest season yet, a true test of character awaits the Chargers’ local core to see how far they can go on their own.
“Dahil wala na nga pong Oly [Okaro], mas eager po ‘yung every local player sa team namin na mag-step-up kasi wala na po kaming ibang aasahan kundi ‘yung isa’t isa na lang po,” Lacsina said.
“Last conference, add-on talaga sa’min si Oly pero ngayon, kami-kami na lang ‘yung nandito. Every training, every game po talaga, tinatrabaho po namin at mas hinahabaan pa namin ‘yung pasensya this conference.
“Habang tuloy-tuloy ‘yung mga panalo namin, natututo pa rin kami.”
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