Akari Chargers, led by Alas Pilipinas’ Fifi Sharma and Faith Nisperos, during a press launch ahead of the PVL All-Filipino Conference.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Faith Nisperos and Fifi Sharma are eyeing to replicate Akari’s finals breakthrough when the Alas Pilipinas stars return to action in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at Philsports Arena.

After being sidelined in the Chargers’ runner-up finish in the Reinforced due to their commitments with the Philippine women’s volleyball team, Nisperos and Sharma seek to prove that they can get their team back on top in the six-month-long competition.

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“From being on the sidelines last conference, nakaka-excite to play with them, be on the court with them. And of course, it’s added motivation that we’ve seen how they played, and fulfilling yung tingin kung makasama naman kami sa court with them,” said Nisperos.

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Sharma, the Alas middle blocker, said it wasn’t hard reconnecting with their teammates Grethcel Soltones, Ivy Lacsina, Ced Domingo, Mich Cobb, Kamille Cal, and Dani Ravena as they are eager to prove themselves that they can also lead Akari to the Finals, too, like what their import Oly Okaro did last September.

“Not much has really changed with the team. We’re still the same components. May nadagdag lang ng konti at may nabawasan ng kaunti. but still, the adjustment was really easy. We were welcomed back home,” said Sharma.

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“It’s also an added motivation because seeing that they can perform at that kind of level na nakaka-excite siya. Actually, kami ni Faith, parang nakaka-inggit kasi gusto talaga namin maglaro. Nakaka-pressure din siya, pero it’s a privilege to feel that kind of pressure to surpass that achievement that the team had last conference,” the former La Salle star added.

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Armed with their Alas Pilipinas stint and an intensive training camp in Japanese coach Taka Minowa’s home country, the spiker-middle blocker tandem is set to bring “a lot” of great experience to the Chargers. 

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“Experiencing the kind of bond we had in Alas within that short amount of time, and also getting to play with and against the best players in Asia, or in the world. Sobrang excited kami ni Faith to share our skills,” Sharma said.

“Sobrang dami yung takeaways, not only from playing against really strong teams around Asia, but also nakasama din namin yung mga possible competitors namin here in the PVL. So, we’ve learned a lot from them, we’ve seen how they work, and ang dami namin na-pick up from that. So, I guess, puro application na lang this PVL, yung mga natutunan namin,” Nisperos said.

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Akari opens the new season against Galeries Tower, which parades rookie and national team setter Julia Coronel, on Saturday.

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