Before the grueling, record-breaking six-month run of the 2024–25 PVL All-Filipino Conference even tipped off, Akari head coach Taka Minowa issued a warning to his squad: expect turbulence. Fresh off a silver finish in the Reinforced Conference with American import Oly Okaro leading the charge, the road ahead — without that towering presence — would be far from smooth.
It was a sobering forecast. One that echoed through every training session and reverberated louder across social media, where critics cast doubt on Akari’s ability to rise without foreign firepower.
Fast forward to a Saturday afternoon at the Philsports Arena, and Akari had found its answer — delivered not by an import, but by two homegrown warriors who refused to fold under pressure.
The Chargers took down powerhouse Choco Mucho in a fiercely contested straight-sets battle, 25-15, 26-24, 26-24, sealing third place in Game 3 of the Battle for Bronze series. The win was more than just a medal — it was vindication.
For Ivy Lacsina, who fought through tears after the final whistle, it was the sweetest kind of validation.
“Siyempre para sa amin, sobrang laking achievement sa team namin kasi yun nga po... Parang last year andyan si Oly ta's ngayon kailangan namin magdoble-trabaho talaga,” Lacsina shared, her voice cracking with emotion.
"Sobrang sarap sa feeling kasi grabe yung mga pag-aaway namin. Lahat-lahat ng iyak, dugo binuhos namin dito. Ngayon sobrang masaya kami sa naging result ng game."
With her emotions pouring out, Lacsina embodied the heart of a team that had clawed its way to the podium in the toughest All-Filipino Conference yet. This was no fluke. No shortcut. This was earned.
And alongside her, Eli Soyud delivered a performance for the books — a game-high 18 points in just under two hours, anchoring Akari’s relentless attack. Lacsina added 12 markers, while Ced Domingo chipped in 13. Cams Victoria and Grethcel Soltones also stepped up with eight and six points, respectively — a full team effort, proof that this bronze had depth behind it.
“Sabi ni Ivy sobrang fulfilling ‘to kasi sabi ni coach Taka na ang dami nagsabi na nag-finals lang kami dahil kay Oly,” Soyud said post-match, echoing the sentiment that had quietly fueled their climb.
But make no mistake: this team isn’t stopping at bronze.
With back-to-back podium finishes — silver in the Reinforced, bronze in the All-Filipino — Akari has proven it belongs in the conversation. And for Lacsina and Soyud, the dream remains clear: gold.
“Siyempre talagang non-stop na trabaho kasi goal po namin ngayon is mag-podium, pero siyempre yung pinakagusto talaga namin is mag-gold. So wala po talagang titigil sa amin. Pahinga lang po ng konti and back to the drawing board po,” said Lacsina, already mapping out the next steps.
“Same din kay Ivy. Siguro kailangan namin mapulido pa yung connection namin especially sa setters and sa middles namin. Yung maliliit na errors, yun yung kailangan namin i-polish para mas maging ready kami pag napunta kami championship,” added Soyud.
From heartbreak to hardcourt heroics, the Chargers’ latest triumph wasn’t just about proving others wrong — it was about proving themselves right. That belief, once questioned, is now as rock-solid as the medal hanging around their necks.
