Mars Alba admitted there’s still plenty to improve on after a standout debut with Akari, which saw the team topple defending champion Creamline to officially open the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference last Sunday.
Despite a few minor lapses, Alba enjoyed a successful first official game with the Chargers as they edged past the Cool Smashers in a thrilling five-set battle, 23-25, 25-23, 30-28, 23-25, 15-12.
This marked their first victory after their supposed opening-day loss to ZUS Coffee was voided due to delays in the imports’ International Transfer Certificates (ITC).
“Marami pang kailangan ayusin, pero ayun, grateful talaga ako kasi hindi nagsasawa ‘yung coaches na mag-remind at magturo,” said the 26-year-old setter, who moved from Choco Mucho to Akari last July.
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The UAAP Season 85 Finals MVP delivered 21 excellent sets as a starter against Creamline. She orchestrated the Chargers’ offense while creating opportunities for foreign reinforcement Annie Michem, as well as middle blockers Fifi Sharma and Ced Domingo.
Alba expressed her gratitude to her new teammates and coaches for guiding her through a transition she admitted hasn’t been easy.
“For me, siyempre grateful ako na pinagkatiwalaan ako ng coaches and ng teammates ko and hindi siya madaling transition kasi ‘yun nga, bago ako sa team. Inaral ko rin talaga ‘yung sistema nila coach,” said the De La Salle University standout.
Settling into her new starting role, Alba promised to give her absolute best to help the team in their quest to return to the Reinforced Conference finale.
“For me, siguro all-out ko lang kung ano yung pwede kong matulong sa team. And ‘yun lang po, give ko lang yung best ko kasi kahit papaano masaya ako in a way sumusunod sila sa gusto kong paikot sa loob,” she said.
