Akari Chargers setter Mars Alba wasn’t feeling well against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, but it didn’t show on the final point.
Alba blocked her former teammate Sisi Rondina-Rosales on match point, giving the Chargers a 25-19, 22-25, 25-21, 19-25, 16-14 win over the Flying Titans on Saturday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Alba celebrated right away. She briefly locked eyes with Rondina-Rosales, pointed to the sky, and broke into a big smile as her teammates rushed over to celebrate with her.
The 27-year-old former De La Salle star said the emotion had nothing to do with facing Choco Mucho. That’s simply how she plays, even on a day when she was sick.
“Siguro for me, normal na mataas ’yung emotions. Knowing me, kung kilala niyo ako, gano’n talaga ako maglaro. Ma-swag, medyo hindi lang todo ngayon kasi medyo masama ’yung pakiramdam, pero nairaos naman,” said Alba.
“Wala naman akong masyadong iniisip nung last block. Sabi ko lang, tapusin lang kasi mahirap ’yung naghahabol nga. And thank you, Lord, na nabigay sa’min ’yung panalo,” she added.
Alba Does It All for Akari
Besides the winning block, Alba ran Akari’s offense with 19 excellent sets.
The win kept the Chargers in the race for the semifinals of the 2026–27 PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series. Alba said the team’s only goal now is to win every game left on its schedule.
“Siguro kami po, ’yung mindset lang naman namin, panalunin lahat ng natitirang games. And ayun, parang it’s now or never. Parang napunta kami sa ganitong sitwasyon, so kailangan namin pagtrabahuhan and sipagan pa, maging patient sa isa’t isa para ma-achieve namin ’yung gusto naming ma-achieve this conference.”
Akari will next face the Nxled Chameleons on Thursday, November 12, at 1:00 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
