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

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

Akari Chargers
No.	Player	Position	Height	Birth date	Alma mater
1	Danielle Theris Ravena	Libero	1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)	(1999-12-06) December 6, 1999 (age 25)	ADMU
2	Mereophe Aevangeline Sharma (NT)	Middle Blocker	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)	(2001-04-27) April 27, 2001 (age 24)	DLSU
3	Alexandra Maxine Juangco	Libero	1.67 m (5 ft 6 in)	(2001-07-14) July 14, 2001 (age 24)	FEU
4	Oluoma Okaro (I)	Opposite Hitter	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)	(1996-04-02) April 2, 1996 (age 29)	ASU
5	Grethcel Soltones	Outside hitter	1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)	(1995-09-09) September 9, 1995 (age 30)	SSC-R
6	Michelle Cobb (C)	Setter	1.61 m (5 ft 3 in)	(1999-02-16) February 16, 1999 (age 26)	DLSU
7	Camille Victoria	Middle Blocker	1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)	(1999-12-26) December 26, 1999 (age 25)	UST
9	Janine Nicole Marciano	Outside hitter	1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)	(1992-01-09) January 9, 1992 (age 33)	San Beda
10	Princes Ezra Madrigal	Middle blocker	1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)	(1999-12-08) December 8, 1999 (age 25)	FEU
11	Erika Beatriz Raagas	Opposite hitter	1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)	(2000-03-30) March 30, 2000 (age 25)	ADMU
12	Ma. Ysabela Bakabak	Middle Blocker	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)		DLSU
13	Celine Elaiza Domingo	Middle Blocker	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)	April 20, 1999 (age 25)	FEU
14	Cathrine Almazan	Outside Hitter	1.66 m (5 ft 5 in)		EAC
15	Stephanie Bustrillo	Opposite Hitter	1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)	(2001-01-07) January 7, 2001 (age 24)	UP
16	Ivy Keith Lacsina	Opposite Hitter	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)	(1999-10-21) October 21, 1999 (age 26)	NU
17	Faith Janine Shirley Nisperos (NT)	Outside hitter	1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)	(2000-01-02) January 2, 2000 (age 25)	ADMU
18	Kamille Cal	Setter	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)	(2001-04-25) April 25, 2001 (age 24)	NU
24	Christine Joy Soyud	Opposite hitter	1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)	(1995-12-27) December 27, 1995 (age 29)	AdU

Coaching staff Head coach: Takayuki Minowa Assistant coaches: Maria Vilet Ponce De Leon Vince Mangulabnan Rodel Canino Juvie Mangaring Sid Gerella Hayashi Yuga

Team staff Team manager: Mozzy Ravena Utility: Jaecee Obena

Medical staff Strength & conditioning coach: Jem Manalang Physical therapist: Nica Ozoa Physiotherapist: Trina Corbitt

All-Filipino Conference

Preliminary round

Standings

Pos	Team v t e	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

Source: TeamPilipinas.info

Match log

2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference preliminary round match log Total: 5–6 (15 points)
February: 0–2 (0 points) Match Date Opponent Sets Total Location Attendance Record Pts Report 1 February 24, 2024 Cignal 1–3 73–96 Smart Araneta Coliseum 2,734 0–1 0 P2 2 February 29, 2024 Creamline 1–3 88–96 PhilSports Arena 2,544 0–2 0 P2
March: 2–2 (6 points) Match Date Opponent Sets Total Location Attendance Record Pts Report 3 March 5, 2024 Farm Fresh 3–0 75–56 PhilSports Arena 329 1–2 3 P2 4 March 9, 2024 Petro Gazz 0–3 61–75 Filoil EcoOil Centre 1,053 1–3 3 P2 5 March 16, 2024 Nxled 3–0 75–56 Santa Rosa Sports Complex 5,178 2–3 6 P2 6 March 23, 2024 Choco Mucho 0–3 60–75 Ynares Center 3,576 2–4 6 P2
April: 3–2 (9 points) Match Date Opponent Sets Total Location Attendance Record Pts Report 7 April 2, 2024 PLDT 0–3 56–75 PhilSports Arena 863 2–5 6 P2 8 April 6, 2024 Galeries Tower 3–0 75–56 Santa Rosa Sports Complex 4,316 3–5 9 P2 9 April 11, 2024 Capital1 3–0 75–51 PhilSports Arena 621 4–5 12 P2 10 April 20, 2024 Chery Tiggo 0–3 54–75 Santa Rosa Sports Complex 2,933 4–6 12 P2 11 April 27, 2024 Strong Group 3–0 75–39 PhilSports Arena 396 5–6 15 P2

Draft

Main article: 2024 Premier Volleyball League draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	School
1	6	Stephanie Bustrillo	OP	UP

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

Reinforced Conference

Preliminary round

Standings

Pos	Team v t e	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

Source: Premier Volleyball League

Match log

2024 PVL Reinforced Conference preliminary round match log Total: 8–0 (21 points)
July: 3–0 (7 points) Match Date Opponent Sets Total Location Attendance Record Pts Report 1 July 18, 2024 Capital1 3–1 99–82 PhilSports Arena 1,676 1–0 3 P2 2 July 23, 2024 Choco Mucho 3–2 99–107 PhilSports Arena 1,212 2–0 5 P2 3 July 27, 2024 Petro Gazz 3–2 114–114 PhilSports Arena 1,713 3–0 7 P2
August: 5–0 (14 points) Match Date Opponent Sets Total Location Attendance Record Pts Report 4 August 1, 2024 Zus Coffee 3–0 75–56 PhilSports Arena 1,138 4–0 10 P2 5 August 6, 2024 Cignal 3–1 90–83 PhilSports Arena 562 5–0 13 P2 6 August 10, 2024 Galeries Tower 3–2 113–97 PhilSports Arena 366 6–0 15 P2 7 August 15, 2024 Nxled 3–1 96–79 PhilSports Arena 410 7–0 18 P2 8 August 20, 2024 Farm Fresh 3–0 75–60 Filoil EcoOil Centre 310 8–0 21 P2

Final round

Bracket

	Quarterfinals				Semifinals				Championship
	August 24
	1 Akari	3
					August 31
	8 Farm Fresh	1
					Akari	3
	August 27
					PLDT	2
	4 PLDT	3
									September 4
	5 Chery Tiggo	2
									Akari	0
	August 24
									Creamline	3
	2 Cignal	3
					August 31
	7 Capital1	2
					Cignal	2
	August 27
					Creamline	3			3rd place match
	3 Creamline	3
									September 4
	6 Petro Gazz	0
									PLDT	1
									Cignal	3

Match log

2024 PVL Reinforced Conference final round match log Total: 2–1 (5 points)
Quarterfinals: 1–0 (3 points) Date Opponent Sets Total Location Attendance Report August 24, 2024 Farm Fresh 3–1 92–88 Filoil EcoOil Centre 1,301 P2
Semifinals: 1–0 (2 points) Date Opponent Sets Total Location Attendance Report August 31, 2024 PLDT 3–2 108–111 SM Mall of Asia Arena 7,496 P2
Championship match: 0–1 (0 points) Date Opponent Sets Total Location Attendance Report September 4, 2024 Creamline 0–3 55–75 PhilSports Arena 8,289 P2

Transactions

Additions

Player	Date signed	Previous team	Ref.
Grethcel Soltones	January 3, 2024	Petro Gazz Angels	[3]
Celine Domingo	January 6, 2024	Creamline Cool Smashers	[4]
Max Juangco	February 5, 2024	FEU Lady Tamaraws (UAAP)	[5]
Kamille Cal	May 20, 2024	Nxled Chameleons	[9]
Ivy Lacsina	May 20, 2024	Nxled Chameleons	[9]
Dani Ravena	May 20, 2024	Nxled Chameleons	[9]
Camille Victoria	May 20, 2024	Nxled Chameleons	[9]
Cathrine Almazan	July 17, 2024	EAC Lady Generals (NCAA)	[10]
Ysabela Bakabak	July 17, 2024	De La Salle Lady Spikers (UAAP)	[10]

Subtractions

Player	New team	Ref.
Roselle Baliton	Galeries Tower Highrisers	[12]
Trisha Genesis	Nxled Chameleons	[9]
Jaja Maraguinot	Nxled Chameleons	[9]
Bang Pineda	Nxled Chameleons	[9]
Dindin Santiago-Manabat	Choco Mucho Flying Titans	[13]

References

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. "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. "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. 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.