The Akari Chargers will have extra firepower this upcoming 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference with the return of Faith Nisperos and Fifi Sharma to the lineup.
Faith Nisperos and Fifi Sharma are all set to make their return for the Akari Chargers in the upcoming 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Nisperos and Sharma had been part of Alas Pilipinas over the past few months, gaining valuable international experience, which they are ready to share with the Chargers.
“Apart from experiencing the kind of bond we had in Alas within that short amount of time and also getting to play with and against the best players in Asia or in the world,” Sharma told reporters at the sidelines of the PVL pre-season press conference.
“Sobrang excited kami ni Faith to share our skills and lahat ng natutunan namin the previous Alas stint sa mga teammates namin.”
For her part, Nisperos also saw her Alas stint as an opportunity to learn more about her future opponents in the league, hoping to use those as a guide to help Akari secure another playoff spot in the new season.
“Sobrang daming takeaways, not only from playing against really strong teams around Asia, but also kasama din namin mga possible competitors namin here in the PVL. So we’ve learned a lot from [them], we’ve seen how we work, and ang dami naming na-pick up from them. I guess puro application nalang this PVL,” said Nisperos.
While they were away, Akari saw its best run yet in the PVL after going undefeated in the group stage of the Reinforced Conference and reaching the finals before bowing to the Creamline Cool Smashers.
Seeing the Chargers exceed expectations became extra motivation for Sharma and Nisperos as they hope to get the same results now back with the team.
“It's also added motivation because seeing na they can perform at that kind of level na nakaka-excite siya. Actually, nung nanonood kami ni Faith parang nakaka-inggit kasi gusto talaga namin maglaro,” said Sharma. “Very excited kami ni Faith to weigh in on that achievement and hopefully to sustain or even surpass that this conference.”
“Well, being on the sidelines last conference, nakaka-excite to play with them, to be on the court with them, and of course, it's added motivation. We've seen how they played and parang fulfilling ‘yung feeling na makakasama na ulit sa court with them” Nisperos added.
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Akari will open the new PVL season on Saturday, November 9 as they face the Galeries Tower Highrisers at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.