Fifi Sharma embraced the limelight during her debut in the Premier Volleyball League.
Playing her first-ever professional game under Akari, the 5-foot-11 middle blocker proved her worth, especially when their game against F2 Logistics went to a fifth and deciding set.
Sharma provided the finishing touches, blocking Cargo Movers star Myla Pablo before serving an ace to lift the Chargers to a 21-25, 25-20, 27-25, 19-25, 15-8 shocker over F2 Logistics on Tuesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The second-generation pro athlete produced 13 points in her debut, including five of the 15 blocks for the Chargers, who rose to 1-0 in the 2023 Second All-Filipino Conference.
“I think I really like playing under pressure especially when I’m put in a position where I need to deliver,” said Sharma on her crucial points that sealed the deal for Akari.
“My mindset was just focus, back to basics, breathe, stay in the present, don’t overthink things, just play your game and that has always worked for me.”
Despite this being her first game, Sharma is not a stranger to the spotlight, having been a part of De La Salle University during her collegiate career in the UAAP.
The 22-year-old Sharma was part of the Lady Spikers in Seasons 82, 84, and 85, with the latter two being productive years for them.
National University dealt La Salle heartbreak in Season 84, but in the next edition, the Lady Spikers got their sweet revenge.
“For this first game, my mindset was actually to give my all — I mean give my all in all the games, but this first game is especially important to me because I think this will set the tone for the whole conference kasi we’ve made our mark and we made our statement,” shared Sharma.
“We’ve shown na may ibubuga kami this conference.”
Akari’s first three conferences in the country’s premier league were underwhelming, with them placing second to last in all.
It was a memorable debut for Sharma as she saw familiar faces on the other side of the court.
F2 Logistics has nine former Lady Spikers in its roster, including Mars Alba and Jolina Dela Cruz, Sharma’s teammates during their playing years at La Salle.
“At first, it was daunting because they’re my seniors and also I know some of the people who are playing on the opposite side of the court but as time went by, I just focused on the game, not so much on who I was playing against but more on the goal to win,” said Sharma.
“My prime motivation is to help the team. I want to give my all in practice, show up everyday just so I can help my team.”
