Seven professional teams expressed interest in Blue Eagles team captain Faith Nisperos after she decided to make herself available following her campaign in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament.
However, in the end, it was Akari who won the Faith Nisperos sweepstakes as the 5-foot-11 outside hitter from Davao decided to commit to the Chargers and reunite with national team head coach Jorge Souza de Brito in the Premier Volleyball League.
Aside from wanting to further her learning under the Brazilian head coach, Nisperos said that she sees great potential in Akari’s current roster. They have a good mix of veteran and young talents such as Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Bang Pineda, Michelle Cobb, Jaja Maraguinot, Erika Raagas, and Trisha Genesis.
Photo from Asian Volleyball Confederation
“Siyempre, [we’re] a relatively new team. I’m well aware na nasa building phase [pa] yung team. But looking at the roster, malaki yung potential na pwede ma-work with the veterans and young players,” said Nisperos, who also admitted that PLDT almost got her to say yes.
Nisperos believes that the Chargers have all the tools to be competitive in the PVL, but she also admitted that the team must first work on their chemistry.
“For me, I guess, I just need time to gel with them more and develop the overall skills as well, and most especially the chemistry. Kasi, the skills are there, but of course, nothing beats good, solid chemistry,” she added.
Akari is coming off back-to-back eighth-place finishes in the 2022 Reinforced and the 2023 All-Filipino Conferences.
“Every team has their set of key players, so siyempre lahat yan first time ko makakalaro, and it will be a very high competition. Going in there, I’m excited, and of course, ako naman expectation ko, whatever talents and skills I have… I’m here to contribute that to my future team,” said Nisperos.
“Of course, competing with a lot of MVP-caliber players, I am very excited to learn from them. And siyempre experience na being on the court being with or against them,” she added.
