Akari sent out a notice to the rest of the league after winning its third game in four outings in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference.
The previous Chargers, who had always lagged in the standings, are gone as they appear to have turned their fortunes around.
Akari improved to 3-1 after beating Farm Fresh in four sets, 21-25, 26-24, 25-15, 25-21, on Thursday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Erika Raagas, who came off the bench and produced 13 points, including four blocks, shared that the team is aiming high for this conference, with their eyes on a podium spot.
“I think what motivated me is that we want to achieve that podium finish this conference,” said Raagas, one of the four Chargers in double figures.
“Everyone in this conference is coming in super motivated, super hungry to win, and I think now that we have the people that we need, the things that we were lacking in the past few conferences, we’re more than ready to fight for that podium finish.”
Akari opened the conference with a thrilling five-set escape over F2 Logistics before losing to PLDT. They bounced back immediately with a convincing four-set victory over Chery Tiggo, followed by this win over the Foxies.
This triumph also marked the Chargers’ first-ever winning streak in franchise history since joining the league in the 2022 Reinforced Conference.
For Raagas, this good start will make other teams think twice when facing Akari.
“This is a significant morale boost for the team, especially because now, when opponents think of Akari, it’s not just ‘Oh, it’s just Akari,’ but now it’s ‘Oh, it’s Akari!'” shared the spiker from Ateneo de Manila University.
Head coach Jorge De Brito, on his part, said that the system and blueprint they laid out on Day 1 are finally bearing fruit.
He, however, is the first to also warn his players not to become complacent, despite a couple of big wins against powerhouse teams and a gritty victory over the youthful Farm Fresh.
“We had a plan from the very first season. You have to develop some players, bring in other talented individuals, and continue to develop them. You can see the guys coming in still have a lot of room to grow,” said the Brazilian tactician.
“Even if I tell you that we aim to stay in the Top Four, we have to fight every single day for that; we work for it. We’re on our way.”
After three conferences of losses, hardships, frustrations, and disappointments, it’s a new beginning for the Chargers.
“I’m confident in these guys, and I know it’s only the beginning. It’s a fresh start for us,” said De Brito.
