Akari rookie Erika Raagas relishes the opportunity to play alongside three-time Olympian Prisilla Rivera in her first foray into the professional scene, Saturday.
The former Ateneo standout said that she really appreciates having the 37-year-old Rivera, who has already played in 19 club teams across the globe, as her mentor in the Chargers’ Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference campaign.
“She is so good. I say it so many times, her energy is contagious, even her mindset,” said Raagas after Akari notched its first-ever victory at the expense of UAI-Army, Saturday at the PhilSports Arena.
“It’s like having a coach inside the court. Being with you and telling you what to do. I really appreciate that she’s with us this season,” she added.
Rivera unloaded 25 points on top of 11 excellent receptions while Raagas chipped in nine points in the Chargers’ 25-20, 25-22, 25-22 bounce back victory over the Troopers.
For her part, the 5-foot-9 spiker out of Cagayan De Oro said that she is just fulfilling the role that head coach Jorge Souze de Brito gave her.
Raagas also shared that she’s currently working on her connection with Akari lead setter Michelle Cobb.
“I think I just really wanna contribute to the team in any way that I can and take up the role that coach is asking us. Healthy competition din inside the team. Yeah I think that’s all,” the Ateneo product said.
“We’re really working on it. As coach said, our role is to attack and we don’t really receive. We always have to be ready for attacks and digs din. It’s not yet our best. The connection isn’t the best yet but we’re working on it. We’re slowly improving it naman,” she added.
Raagas and the Chargers will meet Chery Tiggo on Thursday at 2:30 PM.
