Akari import Prisilla Rivera put up a historic performance in the Chargers’ thrilling five-set victory over Choco Mucho in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference on Thursday night.
The 37-year-old Rivera showed why she has been to the Olympics three times already, delivering a record-setting 44 points to smash the league’s previous scoring mark en route to a 27-29, 25-21, 25-19, 21-25, 15-12 win over the Flying Titans.
Former BanKo Perlas reinforcement Kia Bright held the record since July 6, 2018 after dropping 41 points in the Perlas Spikers’ five-set semifinal loss to PayMaya in the PVL Season 2 Reinforced Conference.
Rivera unloaded 39 attacks to go along with four service aces and one kill block to complete her 44-point explosion in almost three hours of action.
But more than her record-breaking performance, Rivera was able to keep Akari in the running for a semis spot as the Chargers hiked their win-loss slate to 2-4.
And for her, that’s the most important part of this game.
“I’m happy because of our winning and scoring points, but most important [is] we need the win. I can have two points, even if I make 50 or more, if we lose, it doesn’t matter,” said Rivera in Spanish as translated by head coach Jorge Souza De Brito.
For his part, De Brito said that she was very proud of what her prized import has achieved. Moreover, he believes that Rivera’s presence is very beneficial to the league, especially in the long run.
“I’m very proud of her. You know, it’s not because of what I think. I think Akari brought her to shine here, to make our league be stronger and so congrats to her, congrats to the teammates [who have been] helping her but she’s been amazing,” said De Brito, who also serves as the women’s national team head coach.
“She’s a three-time Olympian. Not because of this, but because every training she comes to prove herself. She’s amazing.”
