Good things come to those who wait. For the Akari Chargers, patience was indeed a virtue as they now embark on their first-ever PVL playoff run not as a fringe contender, but a legitimate title favorite.
Nearly two years since they played their first game, the Chargers etched their name into PVL history, becoming only the third club team to achieve a perfect preliminary round.
Akari did so by jolting Farm Fresh, 25-19, 25-22, 25-19, on Tuesday, August 20, to seal a perfect 8-0 record in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference. The Chargers, who first competed in the PVL in the 2022 version of the import-laced conference, joined the Cignal HD Spikers and Creamline Cool Smashers for the rather rare distinction.
They're on top now, but success hasn’t always been easy for the young and talented Akari squad.
But in the blink of an eye, the Chargers rose into one of the more competitive teams—and no one could be prouder than team manager Mozzy Ravena, who has been there since the beginning and has remained focused on their ultimate goal.
“It's a lucky day for Akari but we also know that there is an important game coming up. I think dapat mag-focus 'yung mga girls doon,” Ravena told One Sports, already looking ahead at their next assignment, which would mark the franchise's debut in the PVL knockout rounds.
“Yes, a win is a win, a sweep is a sweep, [but] eliminations lang, what's important is the next level. I think ako to me, dapat 'yung mindset ko doon, so celebrate a little bit. It's a long way from mga ano namin before,” she added.
After joining the league in 2022, Akari has showed promise but hovered in the lower half of the standings, failing to advance to the next round in their first five tournaments as a PVL team.
With this, the Chargers made numerous roster changes, hoping to find the perfect mix of players to support their championship aspirations.
But despite all the ups and downs, Ravena stayed patient and trusted their decisions, which have appeared to pay off now as they enter their first playoffs as the no. 1 seed.
“'Yun 'yung pinakamahirap na part kasi siyempre even if like in our heads it will work, but it's also make or break and along the way may challenges. May mga ayaw mo sanang nangyari, may mga nangyari na gusto mo, but looking at the team now, you sort of think na baka medyo tama naman 'yung nangyari, nagawa, so ganun lang,” said Ravena.
“Sometimes you just have to take the risk eh, 'yung sa change. I guess at least nakikita namin na okay naman, the team is doing well even siguro outside the court na okay 'yung girls. Happy naman kami,” she added.
This was also the case for team captain Michelle Cobb, who like tita Mozzy has been with Akari since the team first joined the PVL.
“Siguro kasi naniwala ako doon sa vision nung kumpanya and medyo I also have like a relationship with siyempre our bosses and I know they're coming from a very good place, so ayun lang siguro parang alam ko din maganda parang vision niya kasi prior to making Akari,” Cobb explained to One Sports.
“Hindi ko rin naman inexpect [kasi] two years p alang Akari almost, so hindi ko din naman inexpect na parang one and done na agad. Parang mas okay nga na ito na, like ito na 'yung fruits of our labor and all the changes made and impatient times na na-experience namin lahat,” she added.
[ALSO READ: Captain Charger: Emotional Michelle Cobb speaks on Akari’s growth en route to 7-0 run in Reinforced Conference]
If there’s a reason for the Chargers’ success in the ongoing Reinforced Conference, both Ravena and Cobb will point to coach Taka Minowa as the one responsible.
The Japanese tactician was moved to Akari during the offseason along with several players from the Nxled Chamleons, such as Ivy Lacsina, Dani Ravena, Kamille Cal, and Camille Victoria.
“Ang ganda rin talaga nung development ng team under coach Taka. I cannot discount that fact na it's very evident naman. Even the movement inside, I was saying nga parang ang ganda ng galawan sa loob. At least you can see na things are happening positively so that's a happy thing for us pero siyempre marami pang kailangang gawin to prove na we belong up there,” said Ravena.
“I think kasi ang laking factor din 'yung naging change namin with our coaches and sobrang drastic nung change na ito before the Reinforced [Conference] na nag-add ng players, nag-mix ng players, nag-switch,” Cobb added.
[ALSO READ: PVL: 'Game captain' Ivy Lacsina relishes new role in winning debut with Akari Chargers]
Before the latest core of new players led by Lacsina, Akari also acquired Grethcel Soltones and Ced Domingo prior to the start of the 2024 season. Of course, waiting in the wings is another pair star acquisitions in Fifi Sharma and Faith Nisperos, who are serving their national team duties with Alas Pilipinas.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Ced Domingo strives to find bearings in Akari]
With a revamped roster, the Chargers may have finally found the pieces they need to compete for the PVL crown now and for a long time to come.
“All along naman, we were always trying to find the right mix, and siguro nakita ko 'yun throughout the season nung ang dami naming five-setters na parang puwede itong pundasyon for the coming years,” said Cobb.