Akari’s Fifi Sharma stepped onto the court against Chery Tiggo on Tuesday night with a fiery resolve, and her performance was nothing short of remarkable. Coming off three straight losses—all via sweeps—the middle blocker was driven by a desire to shake off the team's recent struggles and prove her worth.
With the Chargers facing a much-needed break, Sharma was determined to help her squad secure a win before the league’s one-month hiatus. And that’s exactly what she did, delivering a personal conference-high 16 points, including seven spikes, six blocks, and two aces, leading Akari to a 22-25, 26-24, 25-18, 25-20 victory over the defending champions.
“For me, this game, it’s important for me kasi magkakaroon kami ng break. I want the team to go on a break knowing na we finished good,” said Sharma, whose performance underscored her determination to turn the tide for Akari.
This win brought the Chargers’ record to an even 3-3 as they head into the break, setting the stage for their next match on January 18, 2025, against PLDT. The victory not only boosted the team's morale but also gave them a vital momentum heading into the second half of the conference.
“Kasi this game will set the momentum for the next set of games, so hindi kami pwede matalo kasi I need to contribute to the team and also make them realize na we’re capable of winning. Kailangan lang namin talaga ma-overcome yung hindi namin ma-overcome these past few games,” Sharma shared, emphasizing the importance of a strong finish heading into the holiday break.
Sharma’s performance was a significant improvement after a challenging start to the conference. Before this match, she had been averaging just 4.8 points per game, with her previous high being only seven. But on this night, she was at her best, delivering a well-rounded offensive and defensive showing.
“I’m just happy na na-overcome namin siya today. This sets the tone for the rest of the conference. I mean this is a long conference, so it’s not bad to lose," the La Salle product shared, reflecting on the team's growth. "It’s actually good – at least napagdaanan na namin and we uncovered these problems early on so we can peak at the right time.”
