Fueled by their first Finals appearance last season, the Akari Chargers are out to prove their worth in the upcoming 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
2024 Reinforced Conference record: 8-0 (Silver medalist)
Key returnees: Justine Jazareno
Key players: Ivy Lacsina, Fifi Sharma, Faith Nisperos, Grethcel Soltones, Dani Ravena
Coach: Taka Minowa
One word to describe Akari's upcoming campaign
Consistency.
The biggest question heading into the new PVL season for the Akari Chargers will be whether or not they can replicate their success from the 2024 Reinforced Conference.
After all, the Chargers made their first Finals appearance in the team’s young history, even going undefeated during the elimination round.
However, there will be no Oly Okaro this time around for the Chargers but they will have Fifi Sharma and Faith Nisperos back in the lineup following the pair's Alas Pilipinas duties.
Add to that is the possibility of libero Justine Jazareno also returning to the team at some point in the All-Filipino Conference.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Justine Jazareno spotted in Akari Chargers’ team photo ahead of new season]
Amid the high expectations set for Akari, coach Taka Minowa expressed that “everything is back to zero.”
“We don’t have an import now, so we need to play as a team. This is our challenge for this conference. Without the import, we haven’t yet shown how to play as a team,” Minowa told reporters during the PVL pre-season press conference.
Biggest X-Factor for Akari this season
Faith Nisperos.
The 24-year-old opposite hitter will have plenty of confidence heading into the new PVL season following her international experience with Alas Women.
Nisperos is expected to share the load on offense for Akari, alongside Ivy Lacsina and Grethcel Soltones.
After a somewhat slow start to her PVL career, team captain Michelle Cobb is confident that Nisperos and Sharma can fill the gap left by their super import.
“I think hindi din masyado naging bago samin, hindi din kami nahirapan. I think nag-focus kami na since nawala si Oly and dumagdag naman itong dalawa, feel namin na ‘yung obligation na binibigay ni coach Taka is we really have to fill in her shoes,” said Cobb.
“I think these two naman will be able to help us fill in the gap that Oly left for us,” she added.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Faith Nisperos, Fifi Sharma ready to use Alas Pilipinas lessons in Akari return ]
Best-case scenario
Akari proves that they’re a dangerous team as well come the All-Filipino Conference as they fire on all cylinders, challenging for the top spot.
The Chargers also find a balanced scoring among its talented wing spikers, going toe-to-toe with some of the deeper teams in the PVL.
Worst-case scenario
Akari fails to prove that they can repeat their success without an import, failing to make it past the quarterfinals.
Bold prediction
Given their stacked lineup, Akari will be back in the semifinals where they will look to secure another trip to the finals.