After a turbulent start to the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, Akari seemed to be searching for answers. The Chargers dropped their first three matches to Choco Mucho, ZUS Coffee, and PLDT, leaving fans and coach Tina Salak wondering if the season would slip away before it even began.
But the tides have turned.
Akari has ignited a remarkable four-game winning streak, defeating formidable opponents Nxled, Cignal, Capital1, and most recently, Creamline. Each victory has gradually lifted the team out of early-season gloom, giving the Chargers a newfound confidence that was missing in their opening matches.
“We can see the light, ‘yun lang ang gusto kong sabihin. We can see the light,” Salak said after Akari’s thrilling four-set 25-21, 26-24, 17-25, 25-21 win over the Cool Smashers on Thursday.
With the win, Akari now sits fourth in the standings at 4-3, keeping their hopes alive for an outright qualifying-round berth. But the road ahead remains challenging, with two crucial matches against Galeries Tower and Farm Fresh looming. Salak knows that her team’s streak will be tested and that maintaining momentum will require focus and hunger.
“Mas gusto ko ‘yung hungry sila eh. Kahit wala pang identity ngayon, at least nakikita natin ‘yung composure ng bawat isa,” Salak said. “Yung hunger kasi, hindi nasa-satisfy, walang satisfication, so I think ‘yung identity will remain ‘yung Akari pa rin. Gusto ko lang din magkaroon sila ng mas mataas na standard sa level ng playing nila.
“Whatever works, tuloy lang. We see the light.”
