MANILA, Philippines – When the Chargers play the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in a featured Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference match on Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan, Akari hopes to maintain its position atop the rankings.

The Chargers are keen and motivated to keep up the pace and win a second straight match to take the lead in the opening round of the record-setting six-month conference hosted by Sports Vision, following a hard four-set triumph over the Galeries Tower Highrisers.

Akari, who finished second in the last Reinforced Conference, had a difficult start to his AFC career. The Chargers recovered from losing the opening set to defeat the Highrisers with great middle-set play and a dominant fourth-set finish last weekend.

The Chargers are aware that they must get off to a fast start in their 6:30 p.m. game this time. meeting with the Thunderbelles, a team hoping to create history that is supported by both a new talent and an experienced campaigner.

In addition to veteran Jovelyn Gonzaga, ZUS Coffee has retooled its roster for a new beginning by adding the league’s top rookie draftee. The Thunderbelles appear to be a competitive team with a lineup that includes Chinnie Arroyo, Michelle Gamit, Kate Santiago, Ypril Tapia, Jade Gentapa, Gayle Pascual, Dolly Verzosa, and Chai Troncoso, as well as a standout middle blocker Thea Gagate, whose abilities were honed with Alas Pilipinas.

But since this is their first season in the league, ZUS Coffee may find it difficult to maintain unity. With a team that has already demonstrated harmony, Akari might try to take advantage of any early errors made by the Thunderbelles. Nevertheless, as they work to establish themselves under coach Jerry Lee’s tutelage, ZUS Coffee’s desire for a breakthrough can spark an intensely competitive game.

Ivy Lacsina, Grethcel Soltones, and Eli Soyud will front the Akari attack once more, while Faith Nisperos is anticipated to improve her offensive output following her strong 16-point comeback from national team duty. This increased firepower might be problematic for ZUS Coffee, who lost eight games in the Reinforced and all 11 of its games as a Strong Group in the All-Filipino.

In their next match, Galeries Tower and Choco Mucho are both keen to bounce back from their opening-day losses. Despite having returned major players like Sisi Rondina and Cherry Nunag, Choco Mucho’s Flying Titans lost to the Petro Gazz Angels in four sets. The squad has been forced to regroup and reassess their approach in an effort to maximize the experience and skill of their lineup for a better showing as a result of this first defeat.

With the return of versatile player Des Cheng, whose presence on both offense and defense is anticipated to provide dimension to their games, Choco Mucho is still hopeful about a turnaround. Renowned veterans Kat Tolentino, Isa Molde, Royse Tubino, Lorraine Pacana, and Dindin Manabat join Cheng, each contributing significant expertise and talent to the court. The Flying Titans hope to demonstrate their potential with this seasoned core as they attempt to bounce back with newfound vigor.

Galeries Tower, on the other hand, is equally focused on winning the season. Julia Coronel and Jewel Encarnacion are both gifted rookies who showed potential and skill in their debuts, and the squad is putting their trust in them. A strong group of seasoned athletes, such as Ysa Jimenez, France Ronquillo, Roselle Baliton, and Andrea Marzan, will join these up-and-coming talents. They each contribute a unique combination of perseverance and tactical expertise.

Their mutual desire to bounce back from early defeats has set the stage for a fierce clash as both teams get ready for this important matchup. In addition to having an impact on their rankings, the game gives each team an opportunity to unite and gain momentum early in the season. Fans can expect an exciting performance as Galeries Tower and Choco Mucho try to win for the first time, as each squad features a mix of up-and-coming talent and seasoned presence.