Faith Nisperos cherishes first pro win as Akari outlasts Gerflor in PVL Invitational

A match between winless teams opened up the PVL Invitational Conference quadruple-header on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena. As a result, the Akari Chargers outlasted the Gerflor Defenders in an entertaining five-set battle for pride and honor. With Faith Nisperos leading the way, the Jorge de Brito-mentored squad clawed out their first victory of the tourney, 25-20, 22-25, 27-25, 25-27, 15-12.

The Chargers now have a 1-3 win-loss record in Pool B. While those numbers aren’t good enough to propel them to the semifinals, it is certainly a relief to get that elusive first W.

Nisperos finished the contest with a game-high 18 points off 17 attacks and a block. For her, the Chargers' breakthrough win—which also signified her first taste of victory as a professional—was all about team effort.

“It was hard for us kasi we came from three losses, and the team, what we did was we really committed na whatever happens, we have to win. And I’m really glad na nagtulungan kami to get that win,” the former Ateneo Blue Eagle told reporters after the match.

With her first conference as a pro almost wrapped up, the outside hitter is taking all the learning in. 

"Years of experience ang katapat ko palagi. It is very important that I have to stay composed and learn from them as well," Faith explained. 

Fans were also happy to see Nisperos and her squad get over the hump. On Twitter, they congratulated Akari’s prized rookie, who was also named Player of the Game, for her latest achievement.

“First PVL win. First POG! Congrats,” Netizen Antonio Cee posted, but not without seemingly taking a shot at one of the team's decision-makers.

First PVL win. First POG! Congratss @faith_nisperos!

Horhe ha haha. pic.twitter.com/OfbbiBujGj

— Antonio Cee (@TheRealPepman) July 18, 2023

“First Win and first POG as a Pro!! Congrats miss ma'am,” tweeted @jhobeafolayf.

First Win and first POG as a Pro!! Congrats miss ma'am! 🫶🏻🙌🏻 @faith_nisperos pic.twitter.com/QF6muoyOU5

— B i c e p s (@jhobeafolayf) July 18, 2023

Twitter user @_jflower14_ made sure she was proud of her favorite player.

“First win, first pog for the queen eagle in her rookie year in pros! Proud of you,” she wrote.

First win, first pog for the queen eagle in her rookie year in pros!
Proud of youuu @faith_nisperos pic.twitter.com/GKgVMewthX

— Jaz 🦋💛| medj ia (@_jflower14_) July 18, 2023

Win no. 2 for Nisperos and the Chargers might come as soon as they grace the court for the PVL Invitational’s classification stage.

(GM)