SANTA ROSA – Faith Nisperos sees her new role as an opportunity for improvement after she came off the bench in Akari’s crucial straight-set victory over Galeries Tower in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Saturday.
Nisperos was replaced by Erika Raagas in the starting unit, who started all three sets before the former subbed in during the latter part of the third frame.
The 24-year-old Nisperos, who has been starting for the Chargers ever since her first conference with the team, immediately made her presence felt and scored three consecutive points that capped off an 8-0 run, giving Akari a comfortable 20-12 cushion.
She finished with four points on three attacks and one block as the Chargers kept their semis hope alive with a 25-19, 25-17, 25-20 win over the Highrisers.
“Every hurdle, we always have to look at it as a challenge for you to improve and not for you to get down. Ayun ang motivation ko today, it’s a challenge for me to improve and I’m grateful na ganun yung situation ko right now,” Nisperos told Tiebreaker Times.
Coming off an impressive campaign in the Second All-Filipino Conference where she averaged 11.4 points per game, Nisperos has since struggled in the season-opening conference and only averaged 6.0 points per outing in seven games played.
While it is still uncertain if Nisperos will continue to come off the bench moving forward, the former Ateneo star said that she will focus on the things that she can control, and that is to perform every time her number is called upon.
“Right now, I didn’t start which is our coaches’ decision and it’s something that I can’t control, but what I can control is what I can do pagdating ko sa loob ng court,” said Nisperos.
“Ang motivation ko is basta every time na I’ll be inside, I’ll contribute to the best of my abilities and magkamali ‘man, it’s okay, it’s part of the game, tuloy lang,” she added.
Nisperos is well aware that she’s going to experience more challenges in her young career, and she believes that embracing situations like these will only help her development.
“Yeah, I’m glad na syempre it’s another test of character if you’re coming from the bench. I’m actually happy with today’s performance. Na-overcome ko yun,” she said.
“I’m young, maraming roadblocks ahead, maraming challenges, and I’m glad na nakikita ko how I respond to every situation.”
