Fifi Sharma celebrated her 23rd birthday with the Akari Chargers bowing out of the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference in style, routing of Strong Group Athletics for a straight-set win.
Saturday was extra special for Akari middle blocker Fifi Sharma.
Sharma celebrated her 23rd birthday by helping the Chargers end their 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference on a triumphant note with a straight-set rout of Strong Group Athletics on April 27.
The 5-foot-11 stalwart emerged as the Player of the Game with nine points, built on five blocks and four attacks for the Raffy Mosuela-mentored squad, which finished its campaign in seventh place with a 5-6 record.
“I mean all wins are important for us naman. This game lang was extra special because we were able to end the conference on a good note,” Sharma said.
“I’m sure everyone’s happy.”
Asked about her birthday wish, Sharma had this to say.
“Personally? Wala na, okay na ko like I have everything. Siguro boyfriend. Joke lang ‘yun, joke lang!” she said in jest.
Turning serious, Sharma only wants to recharge by taking a brief respite from the grind. She also wishes nothing but the best for her team.
“My wish for myself? Siguro just a good rest itong break namin. ‘Yun lang hinahabol ko, to take a breather and to reflect din. So I can appreciate working harder more,” she bared.
She then furthered, “My birthday wish siguro is for everyone to be happy with where they are at now, and to continue playing healthy, no injuries and ‘yun lang, for the team naman, to jell more and to have more confidence and have more passion and pride with what we’re doing.”
Speaking of having confidence, passion, and pride, the Chargers showcased all of those qualities in the electric performance that dominated SGA.
Despite missing the services of Ced Domingo, Trisha Genesis, and Erika Raagas, Akari barely felt their absence on the court as the rest of the team ably picked up the slack.
Dindin Santiago-Manabat spearheaded the thrust with 12 points, while Grethcel Soltones pitched in nine markers and 13 digs as Faith Nisperos contributed nine points and 10 receptions.
Jaja Maraguinot then kept the offense humming with 15 excellent sets, while Max Juangco provided solid floor coverage with 15 digs and seven receptions.
While the Chargers remained stagnant on paper after mirroring the results of their 2023 Second All-Filipino Conference campaign, Sharma opined that the team has made significant progress since then. She hopes they can maintain this positive momentum to achieve even greater success in upcoming conferences.
“I feel like it’s a good end nga for the team kasi we’ve been doing progressively better after every conference. Hopefully next conference na with hopefully new additions magi-improve kami as a team, and mas magje-jell pa kami,” the La Salle product said.
“I think the team is just trying to penetrate the higher section of the team. Hopefully next conference we achieve that.”