2024 Akari Chargers season

The 2024 Akari Chargers season was the third season of the Akari Chargers in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).

Season summary

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This was Akari's first season without Philippines women's national team head coach Jorge Edson, who resigned on December 14, 2023, after coaching the team since it joined the PVL in 2022.[1] Akari then named Raffy Mosuela as his successor on January 23, 2024.[2] On the players' side, the Chargers brought in former Finals MVPs Grethcel Soltones and Celine Domingo from the Petro Gazz Angels and Creamline Cool Smashers, respectively.[3][4] They were joined by new recruit Max Juangco from the FEU Lady Tamaraws.[5]

In the All-Filipino Conference, the Chargers went to a slow start going 0–2 in their first two matches before claiming their first win against the Farm Fresh Foxies on the third match.[6][7] The team went back-and-forth throughout the conference and ended up with a 5–6 record with 15 points. The team finished seventh in the final standings.[8]

Going into the Reinforced Conference, the team went through a reshuffling. On May 20, Akari swapped some of its players with sister team Nxled Chameleons, resulting in Kamille Cal, Ivy Lacsina, Dani Ravena, and Camille Victoria joining the team and Trisha Genesis, Jaja Maraguinot, and Bang Pineda transferring for Nxled. The swap also included coach Mosuela, with Takayuki Minowa succeeding him in the head coaching role.[9] It also recruited undrafted players Catherine Almazan and Ysabela Bakabak from EAC and De La Salle, respectively.[10] They then brought in Oluoma Okaro to serve as the team's import for the conference.[11] In the midst of all these moves, Roselle Baliton and Dindin Santiago-Manabat both departed the team.[12][13]

The team's reshuffling paid off in the preliminary round, finishing with an 8–0 sweep with 21 points.[14] In the quarterfinals, the Chargers beat Farm Fresh to advance to the semifinals for the first time in team history.[15] They then faced the PLDT High Speed Hitters in the semifinals, who they beat 3–2 to clinch their first-ever championship berth, but not without controversy.[16] In the championship, the team was challenged by Creamline, where the team suffered a sweep.[17]

The Chargers qualified for the Invitational Conference as a result of the team reaching the semifinals, but decided to opt out due to injury concerns.[18]

Roster

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Akari Chargers
No. Player Position Height Birth date Alma mater
1Philippines Danielle Theris RavenaLibero1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)December 6, 1999 (age 26)ADMU
2Philippines Mereophe Aevangeline Sharma (NT)Middle Blocker1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)April 27, 2001 (age 25)DLSU
3Philippines Alexandra Maxine JuangcoLibero1.67 m (5 ft 6 in)July 14, 2001 (age 24)FEU
4United States Oluoma Okaro (I)Opposite Hitter1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)April 2, 1996 (age 30)ASU
5Philippines Grethcel SoltonesOutside hitter1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)September 9, 1995 (age 30)SSC-R
6Philippines Michelle Cobb (C)Setter1.61 m (5 ft 3 in)February 16, 1999 (age 27)DLSU
7Philippines Camille VictoriaMiddle Blocker1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)December 26, 1999 (age 26)UST
9Philippines Janine Nicole MarcianoOutside hitter1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)January 9, 1992 (age 34)San Beda
10Philippines Princes Ezra MadrigalMiddle blocker1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)December 8, 1999 (age 26)FEU
11Philippines Erika Beatriz RaagasOpposite hitter1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)March 30, 2000 (age 26)ADMU
12Philippines Ma. Ysabela BakabakMiddle Blocker1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)DLSU
13Philippines Celine Elaiza DomingoMiddle Blocker1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)April 20, 1999 (age 25)FEU
14Philippines Cathrine AlmazanOutside Hitter1.66 m (5 ft 5 in)EAC
15Philippines Stephanie BustrilloOpposite Hitter1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)January 7, 2001 (age 25)UP
16Philippines Ivy Keith LacsinaOpposite Hitter1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)October 21, 1999 (age 26)NU
17Philippines Faith Janine Shirley Nisperos (NT)Outside hitter1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)January 2, 2000 (age 26)ADMU
18Philippines Kamille CalSetter1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)April 25, 2001 (age 25)NU
24Philippines Christine Joy SoyudOpposite hitter1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)December 27, 1995 (age 30)AdU

All-Filipino Conference

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Preliminary round

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Standings

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Pos Team Pld W L Pts SW SL SR SPW SPL SPR
5 PLDT High Speed Hitters 11 8 3 23 25 12 2.083 859 726 1.183
6 Cignal HD Spikers 11 7 4 22 23 14 1.643 869 747 1.163
7 Akari Chargers 11 5 6 15 17 18 0.944 767 750 1.023
8 Nxled Chameleons 11 4 7 11 14 23 0.609 794 824 0.964
9 Farm Fresh Foxies 11 3 8 11 14 24 0.583 785 863 0.910

Match log

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2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference preliminary round match log
Total: 5–6 (15 points)
February: 0–2 (0 points)
MatchDateOpponentSetsTotalLocation
Attendance
RecordPtsReport
1February 24, 2024Cignal1–373–96 Smart Araneta Coliseum
2,734
0–10 P2
2February 29, 2024Creamline1–388–96 PhilSports Arena
2,544
0–20 P2
March: 2–2 (6 points)
MatchDateOpponentSetsTotalLocation
Attendance
RecordPtsReport
3March 5, 2024Farm Fresh3–075–56 PhilSports Arena
329
1–23 P2
4March 9, 2024Petro Gazz0–361–75 Filoil EcoOil Centre
1,053
1–33 P2
5March 16, 2024Nxled3–075–56 Santa Rosa Sports Complex
5,178
2–36 P2
6March 23, 2024Choco Mucho0–360–75 Ynares Center
3,576
2–46 P2
April: 3–2 (9 points)
MatchDateOpponentSetsTotalLocation
Attendance
RecordPtsReport
7April 2, 2024PLDT0–356–75 PhilSports Arena
863
2–56 P2
8April 6, 2024Galeries Tower3–075–56 Santa Rosa Sports Complex
4,316
3–59 P2
9April 11, 2024Capital13–075–51 PhilSports Arena
621
4–512 P2
10April 20, 2024Chery Tiggo0–354–75 Santa Rosa Sports Complex
2,933
4–612 P2
11April 27, 2024Strong Group3–075–39 PhilSports Arena
396
5–615 P2

Draft

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RoundPickPlayerPositionSchool
16 Stephanie BustrilloOP UP

The Akari Chargers selected Stephanie Bustrillo with the 6th pick before passing during the second round.[19]

Reinforced Conference

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Preliminary round

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Standings

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Pos Team Pld W L Pts SW SL SR SPW SPL SPR Qualification
1 Akari Chargers 8 8 0 21 24 9 2.667 686 618 1.110 Quarterfinals
2 Cignal HD Spikers 8 7 1 20 22 8 2.750 648 562 1.153
3 Creamline Cool Smashers 8 6 2 20 22 9 2.444 744 653 1.139
4 PLDT High Speed Hitters 8 6 2 19 22 9 2.444 713 622 1.146
5 Chery Tiggo Crossovers 8 5 3 15 18 12 1.500 649 635 1.022

Match log

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2024 PVL Reinforced Conference preliminary round match log
Total: 8–0 (21 points)
July: 3–0 (7 points)
MatchDateOpponentSetsTotalLocation
Attendance
RecordPtsReport
1July 18, 2024Capital13–199–82 PhilSports Arena
1,676
1–03 P2
2July 23, 2024Choco Mucho3–299–107 PhilSports Arena
1,212
2–05 P2
3July 27, 2024Petro Gazz3–2114–114 PhilSports Arena
1,713
3–07 P2
August: 5–0 (14 points)
MatchDateOpponentSetsTotalLocation
Attendance
RecordPtsReport
4August 1, 2024Zus Coffee3–075–56 PhilSports Arena
1,138
4–010 P2
5August 6, 2024Cignal3–190–83 PhilSports Arena
562
5–013 P2
6August 10, 2024Galeries Tower3–2113–97 PhilSports Arena
366
6–015 P2
7August 15, 2024Nxled3–196–79 PhilSports Arena
410
7–018 P2
8August 20, 2024Farm Fresh3–075–60 Filoil EcoOil Centre
310
8–021 P2

Final round

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Bracket

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QuarterfinalsSemifinalsChampionship
 
          
 
August 24
 
 
1
Akari
3
 
August 31
 
8
Farm Fresh
1
 
Akari3
 
August 27
 
PLDT2
 
4
PLDT
3
 
September 4
 
5
Chery Tiggo
2
 
Akari0
 
August 24
 
Creamline3
 
2
Cignal
3
 
August 31
 
7
Capital1
2
 
Cignal2
 
August 27
 
Creamline3 3rd place match
 
3
Creamline
3
 
September 4
 
6
Petro Gazz
0
 
PLDT1
 
 
Cignal3
 

Match log

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2024 PVL Reinforced Conference final round match log
Total: 2–1 (5 points)
Quarterfinals: 1–0 (3 points)
DateOpponentSetsTotalLocation
Attendance
Report
August 24, 2024Farm Fresh3–192–88 Filoil EcoOil Centre
1,301
P2
Semifinals: 1–0 (2 points)
DateOpponentSetsTotalLocation
Attendance
Report
August 31, 2024PLDT3–2108–111 SM Mall of Asia Arena
7,496
P2
Championship match: 0–1 (0 points)
DateOpponentSetsTotalLocation
Attendance
Report
September 4, 2024Creamline0–355–75 PhilSports Arena
8,289
P2

Transactions

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References

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  1. "Jorge Souza de Brito resigns as Akari coach". December 14, 2023. Archived from the original on September 5, 2024. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  2. Garcia, John Mark (January 23, 2024). "Akari names Raffy Mosuela as interim coach after De Brito exit". Spin.ph. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  3. 1 2 Villanueva, Ralph Edward (January 3, 2024). "Soltones plugs in with Chargers in PVL". Philstar.com. Archived from the original on January 4, 2024. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  4. 1 2 Dannug, Jonash (January 6, 2024). "Ced Domingo commits to Akari". Tiebreaker Times. Archived from the original on January 6, 2024. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  5. 1 2 Garcia, John Mark (February 5, 2024). "FEU ace Max Juangco steps in for Jazareno as new Akari libero". Spin.ph. Archived from the original on February 5, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  6. Bautista, Ohmer (February 29, 2024). "PVL: Tots Carlos fires career-high 31 points, powers Creamline past Akari". onesports.ph. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  7. Bautista, Ohmer (March 6, 2024). "PVL: Despite rough start, Grethcel Soltones sees promising future for Akari". onesports.ph. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  8. Manalang, Gerard (May 1, 2024). "Akari aching for stardom". Daily Tribune. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Garcia, John Mark (May 20, 2024). "PVL allows swap of players, coaches between sister teams Akari, Nxled". Spin.ph. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  10. 1 2 3 "Akari signs undrafted rookies Bakakak, Almazan". Fastbreak. July 17, 2024. Archived from the original on July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  11. Demigillo, Kiko (July 3, 2024). "PVL: American Oluoma Okaro to bolster Akari's charge in Reinforced Conference". onesports.ph. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  12. 1 2 "Galeries Tower signs middle blockers Roselle Baliton, Shannen Palec". Fastbreak. June 13, 2024. Archived from the original on June 13, 2024. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  13. 1 2 Agcaoili, Lance (June 20, 2024). "PVL: Choco Mucho acquires Dindin Santiago-Manabat from Akari". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on June 20, 2024. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  14. Isaga, JR (August 20, 2024). "No fluke: Akari completes stunning PVL elimination round sweep with 8-0 finish". RAPPLER. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  15. Caacbay, Kennedy (August 24, 2024). "PVL: Akari sends Farm Fresh packing for first Final 4 appearance". ABS-CBN. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  16. Agcaoili, Lance (August 31, 2024). "PVL explains no net fault in controversial Akari-PLDT endgame". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  17. Demigillo, Kiko (September 4, 2024). "'MVPons' finally real as Bernadeth Pons takes home PVL Reinforced Conference MVP and Finals MVP honors". One Sports. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  18. Isaga, JR (September 3, 2024). "Unrelated to controversy: Top-seeded PVL team Akari pulls out of Invitationals due to injuries". Rappler. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  19. Satumbaga-Villar, Kristel (July 8, 2024). "DLSU, Adamson players banner first-round selections in PVL Draft; Gagate officially selected No. 1 pick for ZUS Coffee". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on July 15, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2025.