The Akari Chargers stayed composed behind Ced Domingo and Ivy Lacsina to snap a three-game skid with their first win of the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
There was no sense of panic inside the Akari camp even after a 0–3 start—and that calm mindset paid off on Tuesday afternoon.
Behind strong outings from Ced Domingo and Ivy Lacsina, the Chargers finally broke through with a four-set win over the Nxled Chameleons, 25-18, 25-23, 23-25, 25-22, in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference at the FilOil Centre in San Juan.
Domingo, who finished with 17 points, said the team never allowed the early losses to weigh them down.
"I don't think there's really pressure," Domingo said during the post-game press conference. "It's more on us as a team, kung paano kami mag-bounce back. That's what I'm really happy and proud of, 'yung mental toughness ng lahat, 'yung character ng team."
Even during the skid, Domingo stressed that Akari’s morale never dipped.
"Kahit na we're losing, 'yung morale ng team, it's not going down," she added. "Parang mas eager pa bumawi for the next games."
Lacsina led all scorers with 20 points and echoed the same sentiment, sharing how her own mindset shifted amid the Chargers' slow start.
"Sa akin naman, 'yung mindset ko ngayon nag-iba siya," Lacsina said. "Hindi magkakaroon ng pressure kung hindi mo siya iisipin."
For Lacsina, enjoying the process became just as important as chasing results.
"Mas nauuna 'yung nag-e-enjoy kami," she said. "Iba 'yung dating ng team kapag nag-e-enjoy kami kaysa isipin na kailangan namin manalo, kailangan namin manalo."
The win snapped Akari's three-game losing streak and improved its record to 1-3, while Nxled absorbed its second straight loss to drop to 3-2.
The Chargers will try to carry that renewed confidence into their next assignment against the Cignal Super Spikers on Saturday, February 28, at the same venue.
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.