Nisperos had a rather pedestrian debut, but coach de Brito isn't sweating it.
Former Ateneo Blue Eagles team captain Faith Nisperos is one of the Akari Chargers’ prized recruits and is among the PVL’s most highly touted rookies.
But after performing admirably for the national team in the AVC Challenge Cup, Nisperos could not quite deliver the goods in her Akari debut on Saturday, chipping in a rather pedestrian 5 points in the Chargers’ 25-15, 25-19, 25-22 straight-sets loss to the PLDT High Speed Hitters at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Akari coach Jorge de Brito, though, isn’t reading too much into Nisperos’ ho-hum opener. In fact, he is apparently pleased with the performance of his 5-foot-11 open hitter.
“She didn't play poorly,” de Brito told reporters about Nisperos’ debut. “She played well, really, really well."
The Brazilian mentor should know. The concurrent coach of the Philippine women's national volleyball team has seen firsthand what Nisperos can do on the volleyball court, having already coached her at the aforementioned AVC Challenge Cup. And he expects bigger things from his rookie.
"Every journey starts at a particular point. You start at this level today and always aim higher,” de Brito added. “I'm confident that this is just the beginning [for Nisperos].”
"I'm quite certain that she will significantly enhance her skills in all aspects,” de Brito emphasized.
That is quite the vote of confidence for Nisperos, whose development will be key if Akari is to turn its fortunes around in the PVL Invitational Conference and beyond.
She and her Akari teammates can start on July 11, when they take on the retooled Chery Tiggo Crossovers once PVL action resumes.