Akari import Prisilla Rivera had a performance to remember on Thursday night.
The 37-year-old Dominican fired 44 big points on 39 attacks, four aces, and a block to lift the Chargers to a tight 27-29, 25-21, 25-19, 21-25, 15-12 win over Choco Mucho in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference.
Rivera also broke the league’s highest scoring mark previously held by former BanKo import Kia Bright, who scored 41 points in a five-set semis loss against PayMaya in the PVL Season 2 Reinforced Conference last July 6, 2018.
Rivera, though, downplayed her feat and said that it does not matter how many points she scores as long as Akari comes out with the win.
The Chargers stayed in the hunt for a semifinals seat after improving their record to 2-4.
“I’m happy because of our winning and scoring points, but most important [is] we need the win. I can have two points, even if I make 50 or more, if we lose, it doesn't matter,” said Rivera in Spanish as translated by head coach Jorge Souza De Brito.
De Brito, meanwhile, raved about the three-time Olympian’s performance and said that her presence alone in the league will only make the league stronger in the years to come.
“I'm very proud of her. You know, it's not because of what I think. I think Akari brought her to shine here, to make our league stronger and so congrats to her, congrats to the teammates [who have been] helping her but she's been amazing,” said De Brito, who also serves as the women’s national team head coach.
“She's a three-time Olympian. Not because of this, but because every training she comes to prove herself. She's amazing,” he added.
Akari looks to continue its ways against PLDT on Thursday, 5:30 PM.
