The Akari Chargers have ignited a beacon of hope in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference.
After years of languishing at the bottom of the standings, the Chargers are resurgent and aiming high.
With a remarkable three wins in their last four games, Akari's newfound success has caught the league's attention.
The Chargers' latest victory, a hard-fought battle against Farm Fresh, saw them triumph in four sets (21-25, 26-24, 25-15, 25-21) on Thursday evening at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Erika Raagas, a vital contributor coming off the bench with 13 points, including four blocks, encapsulates the Chargers' renewed spirit.
She spoke of the team's lofty ambitions for the conference, with their eyes firmly fixed on a podium finish.
"I think what motivated me is that we want to achieve that podium finish this conference," said Raagas, one of four Chargers who scored in double figures. "Everyone in this conference is coming in super motivated, super hungry to win, and I think now that we have the people that we need, the things that we were lacking in the past few conferences, we're more than ready to fight for that podium finish."
Akari's journey in the conference began with a thrilling five-set victory over F2 Logistics, followed by a loss to PLDT. However, they swiftly bounced back with a convincing four-set win against Chery Tiggo, and now, the victory over the Farm Fresh team. This remarkable winning streak marks a historic first for the franchise since they joined the league in the 2022 Reinforced Conference.
For Raagas, this early success has the potential to change how their competitors perceive them. "This is a significant morale boost for the team, especially because now, when opponents think of Akari, it's not just 'Oh, it's just Akari,' but now it's 'Oh, it's Akari!'" shared the spiker from Ateneo de Manila University.
Head coach Jorge De Brito takes pride in seeing the seeds of their hard work finally bearing fruit. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining their dedication and not becoming complacent, even after securing victories against powerhouse teams and grinding out a win against the spirited Farm Fresh.
"We had a plan from the very first season. You have to develop some players, bring in other talented individuals, and continue to develop them. You can see the guys coming in still have a lot of room to grow," said the Brazilian tactician. "Even if I tell you that we aim to stay in the Top Four, we have to fight every single day for that; we work for it. We're on our way."
After enduring three conferences filled with losses, hardships, frustrations, and disappointments, the Chargers are embracing a fresh start.
"I'm confident in these guys, and I know it's only the beginning. It's a fresh start for us," said De Brito.
