Grethcel Soltones and the Akari Chargers may have had some doubts when they were down two sets and 15-4 in the fourth. But their passionate coach, Tina Salak, gave them a wake-up call that fired up the squad to fight its way to another podium finish in the PVL Reinforced Conference.
‘Everybody doubted us, even ourselves; we had doubts in the fourth set,’ Salak said in Filipino. ‘But holding on together was what won us this bronze.’
Salak lit a fire under Soltones that sparked the fourth-set comeback and a come-from-behind 15-25, 25-23, 21-25, 26-24, 20-18 triumph over PLDT to clinch the bronze on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
‘As for Grethcel, everyone knows she’s the Lady Beast. That moniker won’t ever go away. That’s how big my trust in her is,’ said Salak. ‘Even when we argued once . I told her, ‘I’m not here to make friends. I need to push you.’ But we’re good. That was all on the court.’
With import Annie Mitchem powering Akari with 36 points, Soltones displayed an all-around game of 14 points, 13 receptions, and 10 digs for their second straight bronze after the All-Filipino Conference despite failing to sustain last year’s Finals appearance.
‘It’s a big deal for us because a lot of people doubted our team,’ Soltones said. ‘We had so much to improve on. But this is huge for us, it’s a stepping stone for us to mature.’
Soltones didn’t want to absorb another five-set loss after falling to Petro Gazz in the semifinals. Akari was the eighth seed heading to the quarterfinals, upsetting No.1 Farm Fresh.
‘In our last game, I can say it was really about emotions. We could have taken that win if we didn’t let our emotions and impatience take over,’ Soltones said. ‘That’s what the coaches kept reminding us during those tight moments. I kept telling the team, ‘Relax, it’s not over yet. We’ll celebrate when it’s done.’ [That helped us] stay calm and move properly during the crucial points.’
‘I think we really improved this time. Coach Tina helped us a lot-building culture, discipline, everything.’
Salak said this bronze was still sweet to start her coaching era for the Chargers.
‘I’m very passionate when I teach, and the team is very passionate too. The coaches all share the same vision for Akari, and I’m really thankful and blessed because they’re the reason we reached our goal,’ she said. ‘We didn’t get the championship, but it’s still a great opportunity to move forward.
‘By the All-Filipino, we can improve our attitude, our skills, our work ethic, and get to know ourselves better as players. I want harmony, rhythm, and a happy environment. I’m really glad I was able to influence them to have that mindset.