Lighting the path
SANTA ROSA, Laguna—Grethcel Soltones has been feeling ill since Akari’s big four-set win over Creamline.
But that hasn’t stopped her from performing her leadership duties for the Chargers; she even showed up for a weekend team event despite the flu.
So when it came to suiting up for Akari on Tuesday for a PVL All-Filipino Conference match against Galeries Tower despite breathing problems that made just speaking to her teammates difficult, Soltones didn’t think twice about showing up again.
And the Chargers needed her.
They stared down two tough opening sets and recovered from an 11-point beatdown in the third to escape with a gritty 25-23, 25-23, 14-25, 26-24, to move to the cusp of a spot in the top four of the qualifying round.
The numbers may not have shown it: The 30-year-old Soltones delivered a modest eight points and eight excellent digs. But it was the nonmeasurable things she did that meant much to the team.
“We had a problem with our energy right from the first set. We looked kind of flat. Even when I was losing my voice, I kept trying to lift everyone up because sometimes the energy starts with me. When I’m loud and active, they follow,” said Soltones in Filipino.
“I keep reminding [my teammates] that this isn’t new for us. We’ve been in situations like this before,” she added. “So I urged them to hold on to each other. Especially in crunch time, I reminded them again and again that we’ve been through this and we can overcome it.”
Akari coach Tina Salak praised Soltones’ determination to lead the Chargers despite suffering from the effects of the flu. The former San Sebastian star hitter has provided a huge impact as the squad fought back from a 0-3 start and won five straight games to inch a win closer to the top four.
That means Akari is still in contention for a shot at the first two semifinal berths.
“[Her leadership] is already a given, but what stands out now is that she’s taking on a bigger role and more responsibility. She’s not just an ate (older sister), but also a great example for the players. Even when she’s not feeling well, her leadership is still there,” Salak said in Filipino.
“She doesn’t allow the team to give up, no matter what happens. We’re at a point where maturity really matters, and we also have to protect the team, our standing and our shared goal. If we all stay aligned with that one goal, everything becomes easier,” she added.
Embracing her role
The former three-time NCAA MVP has embraced her support role to star scorers Ivy Lacsina and Eli Soyud as well as middle blockers Ced Domingo and Fifi Sharma, who led the way with 14 and 13 points, respectively, and combined for eight of the team’s 10 blocks.
But when her team needs someone to score, Soltones is always ready.
“I’m used to being part of the support system, playing a support role. If I see that my teammates are doing well, I focus on defense and first ball. But if they need points, I try to step up when I can,” said Soltones. “I just try to fill whatever the team is lacking so we can stay balanced.”
She’s been a glue to this young team and she wants her teammates to learn to be impactful leaders as they enter the crucial stage of the tournament.
“That’s something we need to fix. No matter who’s on the court, someone has to bring the energy. Because once we get it going, it’s easier to sustain. But if we don’t, it’s going to be really hard,” said Soltones.
Lacsina, who was averaging 19.8 points in their past four wins, was limited to seven on Tuesday. But she delivered the points that mattered, scoring three of the four points that pushed the Chargers to match point.
Soyud chipped in 12 for Akari. Mars Alba dished out 27 excellent sets on top of four points, while Justine Jazareno tallied 15 digs.
Galeries was already relegated to the Play-In with a 2-6 record after absorbing its fourth straight loss, with Aiza Maizo-Pontillas displaying her vintage form with 17 points.
Erika Raagas had 14 points against her former team. Jean Asis chipped in 13, while Erika Deloria added 10 points, 12 digs, and nine excellent receptions.
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