With her wealth of experience, Grethcel Soltones continues to elevate the youthful Akari squad in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Despite coming off a nearly three-month layoff due to a minor left knee injury, Soltones made a triumphant return, ensuring the Chargers didn’t falter.
Instead, she led them to a hard-fought 25-11, 23-25, 18-25, 25-21, 15-9 victory over Farm Fresh in a crucial match-up.
With this five-set escape, Akari secured its spot in the quarterfinals, setting up a best-of-three series against Galeries Tower, which stunned Cignal in the qualifying round.
Soltones only played three sets, but her impact extended far beyond the stat sheet.
Her commanding yet steady voice on the Taraflex helped refocus the Chargers when the Foxies surged ahead, taking a 2-1 lead.
“Ang mindset ko talaga ay pagdating sa crucial point… Kasi nakikita ko yung team namin na nara-rattle, nandoon ako para i-remind sila na kailangan maayos muna yung gagalawin namin para ma-deliver namin nang maayos yung points, yung sistema, at kung anong pwedeng gawin sa court,” Soltones shared.
Before this match, the 29-year-old outside hitter from Cebu last played on December 10, 2024. She missed Akari’s final five games in the preliminary round.
(C) PVL Images
But beyond her leadership, Soltones still delivered in key moments, particularly in the deciding set, where she scored six of her 11 points.
Head coach Taka Minowa commended Soltones’ ability to steady the team in high-stakes situations, where a loss could have pushed them into the play-in tournament.
“In the second and third sets, we had a lot of errors, so I decided to put Greta in because she can talk to the team and be vocal inside,” said the Japanese mentor.
“Like Ivy said, we are a young team, but with Greta’s experience, she can fix the team.”
Looking ahead to their quarterfinal clash against the Highrisers — a team that has already proven its ability to upset higher-ranked opponents — Soltones reminded the Chargers to maintain their energy from start to finish.
Akari has time on its side, with the quarterfinals set to begin on March 15.
“Nakikita ko naman sila nung nasa labas ako na okay yung ginagalaw nila nung umpisa. Ang aayusin namin ay yung sa crucial times—kahit sinong ilagay sa loob, magli-lead, mas magiging maayos, at makakapag-adjust kami agad.”
