Top recruit Faith Nisperos vowed to bounce back after a forgettable debut for Akari in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference last Saturday.
Expectations were high on the Ateneo de Manila University standout but her presence on the offensive end was barely felt as the Chargers got clobbered by PLDT, 15-25, 19-25, 22-25, in their Pool A tussle at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Nisperos was held down to a quiet five-point outing despite spending time on the court and starting in all three sets.
“Of course, as a first-timer, I want to win. It’s not the result I wanted but I’m glad that I get to test the waters and play with the Chargers,” Nisperos said.
The winger, who played for the national team in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Challenge Cup for Women in Indonesia a week ago, had difficulty finding her rhythm and struggled making connections with her setter.
But despite a scoring diet, the former Blue Eagles skipper contributed on floor defense with six digs and three excellent receptions.
‘Of course, as a first-timer, I want to win. It’s not the result I wanted but I’m glad that I get to test the waters and play with the Chargers.’
“I’ve been working on some of my skills. I could say that slowly I’m able to show it and of course, also, I’m looking at it as a positive,” Nisperos, who forgo her collegiate eligibility to turn pro, said.
“I’ve seen what I need to improve on after this game.”
“As an open hitter, I understand that they expect me to know all aspects of the court. I could say I have to improve in my defensive skills and of course my blocking as well.”
The league is on a 10-day break to give way to the county’s hosting of the Men’s Volleyball Nations League starting 4 July.
Nisperos sees the lull in hostilities as a chance for the Brazilian Jorge de Brito-mentored squad to plot its next move.
“We will take the long break as an opportunity to train and study,” Nisperos said.
Akari takes on desperate Chery Tiggo on 11 July at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
