Grethcel Soltones is keeping her eyes on the prize as Akari heads into the quarterfinals, bolstered by a morale-boosting sweep of the 2024 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference preliminary round.
The retooled Chargers defeated Farm Fresh in straight sets, 25-19, 25-22, 25-19, on Tuesday night, recording a franchise-best 8-0 record in the eliminations. This achievement makes them only the third team in the professional era to accomplish such a feat, joining Creamline and Cignal.
“Yun nga, sabi ko sa kanila ‘wag maging complacent hanggang wala pa kaming nahahawakan na dapat hawakan,” said the veteran spiker after the victory.
“So ayun, nire-remind ko lang ‘yung teammates ko everyday na we have to strive every training and we do everything in every training,” she added.
(C) PVL Images
While securing the sweep is an impressive achievement, the 28-year-old outside spiker stressed that it is just part of the process. She emphasized that the ultimate goal remains to win the franchise’s first-ever PVL title.
Soltones also warned her teammates against becoming complacent, highlighting the need to continue working hard in practice as the quarterfinals will present new challenges.
“Para sa akin, parang etong 8-0 part lang talaga siya ng process eh. Hindi siya ‘yung talaga ‘yun na ‘yun. ‘Yun nga, sabi ko sa teammates ko in every huddle na etong ginagawa natin, eto ‘yung magdadala sa atin kung saan natin gusto pumunta pero kahit nag 8-0 tayo ngayon, wala pa ring kasiguraduhan,” said the pride of Catmon, Cebu.
“Kailangan talaga in every game, sinasabi ko sa kanila, mindset natin is mag-enjoy sa game and also bumawi agad. ‘Yun nga, ‘yung nire-remind ni coach Taka na maging kumbaga lahat ng techniques na pwedeng gawin, gawin kasi para mas mapadali ‘yung trabaho,” she added.
Soltones, one of the few veterans on the young Chargers squad, delivered 15 points in the win against the Foxies.
Akari will face either Choco Mucho or Farm Fresh again in the quarterfinals.
