THE Akari Chargers opened their bid in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference with three straight losses before scoring a breakthrough win against the Nxled Chameleons last Tuesday.
Akari’s mettle, however, will be tested by top team Cignal Super Spikers (4-1) when they meet on Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Game time is 4 p.m.
Against Nxled, the Chargers were led by Ivy Lacsina and Ced Domingo who scored 20 and 17 points, respectively, in a 25-18, 25-23, 23-25, 25-22 victory.
“As for me, my mindset has changed, probably because I’m gaining a broader perspective. I feel like pressure ... it doesn’t really exist unless you dwell on it,” Lacsina said in Filipino.
“The energy is just different when we’re enjoying ourselves compared to when we’re obsessing over the need to win.”
Lacsina’s 20-point performance was accompanied by 10 excellent receptions.
For Domingo, the former Creamline middle blocker, losing three straight to start the tournament was as a challenge to their mental toughness.
“It’s more about us as a team and how we bounce back. That’s what makes me really happy and proud of this group — everyone’s mental toughness and the character of the team. I’m truly happy because even when we’re losing, the team’s morale doesn’t drop,” Domingo said.
Aside from Lacsina and Domingo, veteran Gretchel Soltones also stuffed the statistical sheet with 12 points, 14 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions.
Cignal, on the other hand, is fresh from a 25-21, 25-19, 25-23 victory over two-time league champions PLDT High Speed Hitters.
The Super Spikers relied on Gel Cayuna’s excellent playmaking, as she tallied 18 excellent sets and added nine points.
“It’s like [we were playing like] we have nothing to lose. So, whatever we have, we’re going to give it everything we’ve got. We draw that [strength] from one another, and we really put in the work during training,” Cayuna said.
“Because this is it — this is everything our team is about. We’re just here to support each other.”
In the 6:30 p.m. game, PLDT (3-1) will seek to bounce back against ZUS Coffee (1-4).