Akari showcased its unwavering commitment to sports during the unveiling of the Home of the UAAP arena, which is expected to be completed by Season 90.
Akari CEO Christopher Tiu emphasized the company’s dedication to sports by highlighting their support for grassroots programs, high school teams, and collegiate teams.
He pointed out Akari’s involvement in the Premier Volleyball League, where they have two teams: the Akari Chargers and the Nxled Chameleons.
Tiu also expressed pride in the strides their players have made, highlighting Fifi Sharma and Faith Nisperos of the Chargers, who are now part of the Alas Pilipinas Women.
With Akari’s recent success, there has been growing speculation about the company expanding into other sports. Naturally, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) comes to mind as a potential avenue for expansion.
Akari official Mozzy Ravena revealed that some PBA teams have already approached Akari about joining the professional basketball scene. However, she clarified that there are currently no plans to venture into professional basketball.
“We’ve been approached by some teams but there are no plans at all as of today,” shared Ravena during the UAAP and Akari’s signing of the memorandum of agreement for the arena.
“The focus is really at the arena, as you can see it’s really one of a kind. It’s really something na I think doon muna lahat ng focus,” she continued.
Despite this, Ravena expressed her delight in the success Akari is currently experiencing in the PVL, seeing their vision slowly come to life since the formation of the team.
The Chargers had a stellar run in the Reinforced Conference, sweeping the preliminary round with a perfect 8-0 record for their first-ever playoff appearance.
They then defeated Farm Fresh in the quarterfinals to advance to the semifinals, all while star players Nisperos and Sharma were with the national team.
(C) PVL Images
“Very proud kasi when we started, it was just like… Parang si Sir Chris, ang daming what ifs niyan pero ang hirap biruin nito eh, what if mag-pro team tayo? Next week meron na siyang game plan. It’s nice on the other hand to have somebody like that who’s willing to support,” said Ravena.
“Akari was formed in the middle of the year na parang hindi namin alam kung sino players, buti na lang may mga available. It started with a very simple plan and look at it now. Kahit papaano, this is what the goal was slowly.”
