Ivy Lacsina and Grethcel Soltones know that Akari's first-ever finals experience will only help build the team stronger heading into the next conferences.
From the moment the Akari Chargers stepped inside the jam-packed PhilSports Arena in Pasig City, the then-undefeated squad heard loud boos from the 8,289-strong crowd.
The boos got much louder as the Akari players were announced during the pre-game introductions. Among those that received the loud boos were middle blocker Ezra Madrigal, along with outside hitters Ivy Lacsina and Grethcel Soltones.
Still, the Chargers went head-on and tried to muster the strength to defeat the Creamline Cool Smashers for their first-ever PVL title.
Ultimately, the Cool Smashers came out on top, rather convincingly, beating the Chargers in straight sets, 25-15, 25-23, 25-17, for their ninth PVL championship.
Despite failing to win the Reinforced crown, Soltones and Lacsina remain as proud as ever of Akari's efforts, especially during the championship match.
“Sobrang happy kasi 'yung target namin as a team is four or five [in the standings], so hindi namin talaga inexpect na aabot kami ng championship. Super happy kami kahit anong nangyari kanina,” Soltones told reporters after the championship match.
“Masaya kami kasi young team kami. And then parang kailan lang kami nabuo, tapos nasa finals [na agad]. At least ngayon, maaga namin na-experience 'yung mga kailangan naming aralin pa and kung saan kami mag-focus para sa next conference,” Lacsina added.
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When asked about the boos they received throughout the match, Lacsina and Soltones bared that they already expected to receive that kind of treatment from spectators.
Lacsina, however, also admitted that some of her teammates were affected by the hostile environment—something that hasn’t been seen in PVL matches.
“Hindi lahat sanay sa ganung crowd,” said Lacsina. “Siguro ginuide na lang din namin 'yung mga bago and hindi pa sanay sa ganun, so hindi namin siya totally na-block out talaga samin.”
“Sabi ko nga sa kanila na I know before tayo pupunta sa game bukas, marami at maraming mangyayaring hindi maganda,” Soltones shared.
“Prineprare namin 'yung sarili namin and kahit naman ano pang gawin namin, tama o mali, meron at meron pa ring masasabi 'yung bawat isa, so sabi ko kapit lang sa isa't isa, kaya natin ito.”
[RELATED STORY: Ivy Lacsina, Akari ‘embrace the hate’ ahead of first-ever PVL Finals in Reinforced Conference]
But if there’s anything that the Chargers will take away from this experience, it’s that their bond as teammates will only grow from here on out.
“Good experience siya for us kasi at least alam na namin next time or sa mga next games namin kung papaano namin siya iha-handle and hindi na kami mabibigla,” said Lacsina.
“Lagi naman kaming tumitingin sa brighter side ng mga nangyayari and happy naman kami kung saan man kami dinala ngayon ni God ngayong conference and sobrang thankful lang din namin na na-experience namin lahat ito,” she added.
“Nagcha-chat na kami na parang eto 'yung isa sa experience natin sa isa sa hindi pinaka-maganda, pero ito 'yung magpapatibay samin as a team kasi parang mostly samin mahaba 'yung contract with Akari,” Soltones also shared.
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As they sit out the Invitational Conference, the Chargers will look to recalibrate and get ready for another deep run in the All-Filipino Conference in October.