Grethcel Soltones keeps her focus on the Akari Chargers' ultimate goal in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Grethcel Soltones isn’t one to be fazed by outside noise.
As Akari secured its second PVL semifinal appearance, the veteran outside hitter made it clear that the only voices she’s listening to are those of her teammates.
“Sa'kin kasi, the noise, the bash, or anything, doesn’t affect me at all,” Soltones told One Sports after Akari’s hard-fought 19-25, 25-20, 16-25, 25-20, 15-12 victory over Galeries Tower in Game 2 of their quarterfinals series at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig on Thursday, March 20.
“What matters to me is ‘yung goal namin as a team. ‘Yung pinagtrabahuan ko, ‘yung pinagtrabahuan namin, at tsaka ‘yung kailangan pa namin gawin. So, naka-focus kami sa team kahit anong bash pa ‘yan, wala, okay lang,” she added.
Soltones has been vocal online recently regarding her stance on political issues.
[ALSO READ: Grethcel Soltones returns and makes instant impact for PVL quarterfinals-bound Akari]
Lady Beast finished with 13 points in the five-set thriller that saw the Chargers rally from a 1-2 set deficit to complete the sweep of the quarterfinals series.
It was another gutsy performance for an Akari squad that has faced its fair share of ups and downs throughout the extended conference.
Following their stellar campaign in the 2024 Reinforced Conference, which saw them reach the Finals behind import Oly Okaro, Akari has silenced its doubters with another semis appearance—this time in the All-Filipino Conference.
[ALSO READ: PVL timeline: How the rejigged Akari charged their way to brink of first-ever PVL Finals appearance]
But for Soltones, their resurgence isn’t about proving anyone wrong—it’s about proving themselves right.
“Isa din ‘yun sa inspiration namin. Actually, hindi namin siya iniisip dahil kay Oly. Hindi naman kami makakaabot sa kung saan kami kung hindi din dahil sa bawat isa sa amin,” said Soltones.
With Akari now finding themselves in the Final Four, Soltones believes that the Chargers are slowly turning into a family.
“‘Yung tiwala sa isa’t isa and also we check on each other. Parang siguro papunta na kami as a family.”