MANILA, Philippines – Following a difficult stretch in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, head coach Cedric Domingo of the Akari Chargers provided an open and contemplative evaluation of his team’s character. Domingo emphasized the Chargers’ tenacity as a quality that distinguishes this group, despite going through a mid-season slump that tried both morale and performance.

The latest slump wasn’t just a string of losses for Akari. It turned into a testing ground for discipline, identity, and group beliefs. The team replied with obvious effort, concentrated planning, and constant support for one another rather than recoiling under increasing pressure. Domingo asserts that this type of mental toughness is the cornerstone of sustained success.

Following a recent practice, Domingo declared, “We are not defined by our victories.” When the games don’t go our way, it’s how we react. Character emerges at that point.

That emotion perfectly captures Akari’s journey this season, which has been characterized by progress and a spirit of competition despite mixed outcomes. The Chargers came into the season hoping to break into the top division of the PVL rankings. Despite early defeats, Domingo and his coaching team never wavered in their message: growth in the face of adversity, not just victories, is a better indicator of progress.

Handling a Competitive Gathering

Intense competition and little room for error have been characteristics of the PVL All-Filipino Conference. While up-and-coming teams have tried to define themselves, elite teams have combined athleticism and experience. Akari’s difficult struggle was neither unexpected nor unique in that regard. The fact that a number of teams have survived mid-season turmoil highlights how tactical depth and parity have changed throughout the league.

Areas that needed improvement were indicated by Akari’s skid. The offensive rhythm was periodically disturbed by erratic execution during serve-receive revolutions. Transition defense lapses were caused in part by poor communication in back-row coverage. These minor errors frequently resulted in runs that were hard to stop against well-behaved opponents.

But Domingo thinks these are problems that can be fixed. “We encountered situational errors,” he clarified. “Those are reflections of execution rather than effort. And when we stay mentally present, work on the basics, and strengthen our habits, our execution gets better.

Advantages That Have Surfaced

Despite the setbacks, Akari has shown a number of positive characteristics that point to potential in the future.

Resilience and Mental Toughness: Domingo has highlighted that the team’s increasing psychological edge is demonstrated by their refusal to give up under duress. The Chargers avoided prolonged scoring droughts, remained competitive, and kept contesting every point as games became closer. Deeper postseason runs are frequently preceded by this resilience.

Balanced Offense: Akari’s goals have come from a variety of sources rather than a single, potent attacker, even though this isn’t always evident in the victory column. This balance makes it more difficult for opponents to scout defenses and implies that the Chargers can produce consistent offensive pressure on nights when sets line up and timing improves.

Better Service Pressure: Akari now serves with greater purpose, placing her shots strategically to interfere with the opponent’s reception. In a league where several teams excel at half-court performance, this has created transition opportunities and forced opposing defenses into early rotations.

Opportunities for Further Development

Even if there have been gains, Akari still needs to deal with lingering issues if it wants to enhance its competitive position.

Serve-Receive Consistency: The offense has occasionally been unable to execute fast sets or take advantage of blocking mismatches due to inconsistent pass quality. The coaching staff prioritizes improving rotational movement and communication during serve-receive drills.

Defensive Communication: Individual defensive effort is still high, but rotational synchronization still needs work. As the season goes on, seamless coverage will be essential, particularly during lengthy rallies.

Finishing Tight Sets: Despite their competitive play in a number of games, the Chargers have had trouble completing sets that are crucial. Converting close games into victories will require learning how to maintain momentum under duress, especially in the closing moments of a set.

Since mental toughness is seen as a characteristic of championship teams, both fans and pundits find resonance in this emphasis on character development. When two teams are evenly matched in skill, a team’s mental toughness frequently makes the difference in a league where talent is abundant and coaching techniques are always changing.