Akari lights up against Galeries

MANILA, Philippines — Akari gave Alas Pilipinas standouts Faith Nisperos and Fifi Sharma a warm homecoming with a 28-30, 25-15, 25-16, 25-23 victory over Galeries Tower yesterday at the start of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena.

The power-hitting Nisperos and Sharma, who missed the season’s first two conferences due to their national team duties, added firepower to an already loaded Chargers roster.

Nisperos finished with 16 points while Sharma chipped in two.

While the Nisperos-Sharma pair wreaked havoc, it was Eli Soyud and Grethcel Soltones who dealt the most damage.

Soyud led all hitters with 21 points while Soltones had 18 points including 13 off attacks and on top of two blocks and a missile-like service ace.

Despite their great start, Soltones kept reminding her team that they haven’t achieved anything just yet.

“Sinasabi ko sa teammates ko wala pa kami napapatunayan,” said Soltones. “Ang mahalaga, every day, may natutunan kami kahit pakonti konti hanggang sa ma-apply namin sa next games namin.”

Despite the arrival of the high-profile pair, the Chargers will still have to jell more as evidenced by their sluggish start wherein they conceded the opening set to the more cohesive Highrisers.