Max Juangco, Grethcel Soltones, and Ivy Lacsina of the Akari Chargers. Photo from PVL Media Bureau

MANILA – The Premier Volleyball League (PVL) championship slipped through Akari's hands after falling to powerhouse Creamline in straight sets, 15-25, 23-25, 17-25, in the 2024 Reinforced Conference Finals on Wednesday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Before the match, there were loud boos from the crowd during the team introduction, stemming from their controversial win over the PLDT High Speed Hitters in the semifinals.

READ: Creamline captures ninth PVL crown at Akari's expense

Conference Best Outside Spiker Grethcel Soltones said they expected those things to happen, but they tried to prepare for it.

"Sabi ko nga, I know na before tayo pumunta sa game bukas, marami at maraming mangyayaring hindi maganda. So ‘yun nga, pinrepare namin ‘yung sarili namin and kahit naman ano pang gawin naming tama o mali, meron at meron pa ring masasabi ‘yung bawat isa," Soltones told reporters.

They only had each other to lean on, and Soltones acknowledged this.

"Sabi ko kapit lang po sa isa’t isa kaya natin ‘to," she said.

READ: Akari overcomes PLDT in 5-set thriller to capture PVL Finals ticket

Fellow star spiker Ivy Lacsina admitted that the hostile environment has affected them, especially the young ones.

"Siguro 'yun nga po, young team kami. 'Di lahat sanay sa ganung crowd, ginuide na lang namin 'yung mga bago and 'di pa sanay sa ganun. So 'di namin siya totally na-blockout sa 'min. 'Yun nga, sabi nga ni Coach Taka, may effect siya pero nasa player na yun pano iha-handle," said Lacsina.

Still, Lacsina stressed that she respects the passion of the volleyball community.

"Siguro, lagi ko namang sinasabi, maganda man o hindi 'yung ginagawa mo, may masasabi sila. And ayun, siguro hindi naman ako pumunta do'n para lang din sa kanila, and nire-respect ko naman kung anong mga gusto at hindi nila [gusto]. Siguro inisip ko 'yung team, doon ako nag-focus. Lagi ko sinasabi focus lang ako kung anong nasa harap ko."

The Chargers were happy to be silver medalists--their best-ever finish since joining the league.

They were also unbeaten in 10 games before going into the championship match.

READ: PVL: Akari completes sweep of Reinforced prelims

READ: Akari urged not to be complacent amid prolific showing in Reinforced tilt

"Masaya pa rin kami. Nakita niyo naman after game, ‘di ba? Lahat kami, kahit silver, ang silver hindi basta-basta," said Soltones.

"Siguro, ayun nga, good experience siya for us. At least alam na namin next time and sa mga next games namin paano namin siya iha-handle and hindi na kami mabibigla. Lagi kami tumitingin sa brighter side ng mga nangyayari, and happy naman kami sa'n man kami dinala ngayon ni God ngayong conference," Lacsina added.

Meanwhile, Akari team captain Michelle Cobb on Thursday called for an end to the online attacks and toxic comments against her team.

In an Instagram story, Cobb responded to comments that appeared to wish injury on Akari players.

"Bakit po kailangan umabot sa punto na gusto niyo pong ma-injure ang mga players? Sumosobra na po kayo. Tama na po. Hindi po kami gumagawa ng rules ng volleyball," Cobb said.

"At bilang 'sports fans' at hilig po nating lahat ang volleyball, sana po wag po natin pairalin ang pambabastos at pamemersonal sa mga players at coaches. We do not want to foster a sports community that is filled with hatred and hostility. Nakakalungkot po," she added.

Hours before the championship match on Wednesday, the team released a statement denouncing the threats toward their players.

READ: PVL: Akari decries threats after controversial semis win

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