Grethcel Soltones believes the Akari Chargers have what it takes to succeed, despite a shaky start to their 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference campaign.
The Akari Chargers may have found themselves in the bottom half of the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference standings two weeks into action, but Grethcel Soltones still sees a promising future for the squad.
Soltones and Co. had a rough start to their campaign, after falling to Cignal and Creamline in succession.
The Chargers would only barge into the win column on Tuesday night via a straight-set romp of the Farm Fresh Foxies, 25-19, 25-15, 25-22, at the PhilSports Arena.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Akari vents ire on Farm Fresh, picks up first win in All-Filipino]
"I know na 'yung team na 'to meron talagang future," said Soltones, who had a 16-point, 10-reception output in the victory.
This optimism comes from the fact that Akari has yet to tap into its full potential.
Even after three matches, the Chargers, as coach Raffy Mosuela stressed, are still working on their coordination on the court.
"Ayun sabi nga nila connection kasi hindi ko tinigilan talaga sila. After ng second game namin, lahat ng training namin more on connection when it comes to attacking and receive-to-setter," Mosuela shared.
Not to mention that Ced Domingo is still finding her bearings in Akari. She only arrived in the country in late February following her successful Thailand stint.
Once Domingo establishes her footing, the Chargers will have a fearsome arsenal that can rival the perennial contenders in the league.
[ALSO READ: Out of her comfort zone, Ced Domingo finds maturity and composure in golden Thailand stint]
As promising as the future holds, Soltones is keen on reminding her teammates to focus on the present.
"Yun nga, parati kong nire-remind sa teammates ko, lalo na pag nasa loob ng court na focus lang talaga kasi once na mawala man kami, I mean, may distractions, dun kami nagsisimula magwatak watak," she said.
"Focus lang talaga kami sa goal namin and as a team."
After Tuesday's matches, Soltones is the top scorer for Akari with 40 points. She remains the best receiver in the preliminaries, as the sole athlete above 50% efficiency with 50.77%.
Bang Pineda is also providing reliable defense as the seventh best digger.
Meanwhile, Fifi Sharma and Ced Domingo are seventh and eighth among the top blockers of the league so far. The squad itself, the top blocker of the previous conference, now ranks second to the Choco Mucho Flying Titans.
Their mettle will be further tested against the Petro Gazz Angels on Saturday, March 9 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.
The 4 p.m. match will be aired on One Sports, One Sports+, and the Pilipinas Live app.