Before the record-breaking six-month-long 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference even began, Akari head coach Taka Minowa had already issued a reminder to his squad: coming off a silver finish, things would be much tougher this time — especially without the help of an import.
The Chargers had reached a breakthrough second-place finish in the 2024 Reinforced Conference, largely thanks to the contributions of American reinforcement Oly Okaro.
However, even during that impressive run, critics on social media questioned Akari’s ability to perform without Okaro’s presence on the court.
That’s why, on Saturday afternoon, emotions ran high for Ivy Lacsina and Eli Soyud after leading Akari to a bronze-medal finish in the All-Filipino Conference.
The Chargers outlasted Choco Mucho in a tightly contested straight-set win, 25-15, 26-24, 26-24, to clinch third place in Game 3 of the Battle for Bronze series at the Philsports Arena.
(C) PVL Images
“Siyempre para sa amin, sobrang laking achievement sa team namin kasi yun nga po… Parang last year andyan si Oly ta’s ngayon kailangan namin magdoble-trabaho talaga,” shared Lacsina, holding back tears after the win.
“Sobrang sarap sa feeling kasi grabe yung mga pag-aaway namin. Lahat-lahat ng iyak, dugo binuhos namin dito. Ngayon sobrang masaya kami sa naging result ng game.”
Soyud powered Akari with a game-high 18 points after an hour and 54 minutes of action, while Lacsina followed with 12 points of her own.
Ced Domingo chipped in 13 markers, while Cams Victoria and Grethcel Soltones contributed eight and six points, respectively.
“Sabi ni Ivy sobrang fulfilling ‘to kasi sabi ni coach Taka na ang dami nagsabi na nag-finals lang kami dahil kay Oly,” said Soyud, who is also part of the 33-woman wishlist for the Alas Pilipinas national pool.
Now with a silver and bronze medal under their belt, Akari has its eyes on the ultimate prize — gold.
Lacsina and Soyud are determined to keep grinding in the country’s top-tier league until they reach the top of the podium.
(C) PVL Images
“Siyempre talagang non-stop na trabaho kasi goal po namin ngayon is mag-podium, pero siyempre yung pinakagusto talaga namin is mag-gold. So wala po talagang titigil sa amin. Pahinga lang po ng konti and back to the drawing board po,” said Lacsina.
“Same din kay Ivy. Siguro kailangan namin mapulido pa yung connection namin especially sa setters and sa middles namin. Yung maliliit na errors, yun yung kailangan namin i-polish para mas maging ready kami pag napunta kami championship,” added Soyud.
#WATCH: Ivy Lacsina couldn’t hold back her tears after powering Akari to a hard-fought bronze finish in the toughest PVL conference yet
@jonashdcd /Tiebreaker Times#PVL2025 pic.twitter.com/9AdUZoTF6G
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 12, 2025
