Faith Nisperos Shines in Comeback as Akari Chargers Down Choco Mucho in Four Sets
Key Takeaways
- •Faith Nisperos returned to competitive play for the Akari Chargers, contributing nine points in a four-set victory over Choco Mucho, a significant improvement from her two-point performance in the team's opening loss to ZUS Coffee.
- •Head coach Tina Salak emphasized a patient approach to Nisperos's recovery, stressing that her mental return is the priority and that progress will be gradual.
- •The Akari Chargers have not won a PVL championship since joining the league and are also waiting for Mars Alba, Justine Jazareno, and Fifi Sharma to return from Alas Pilipinas national team commitments.
- •Nisperos sustained her knee injury the year after signing with Akari three years ago, which was considered the franchise's biggest recruitment at the time.
- •Nisperos's next opportunity to test her repaired knee cartilage will come when the Chargers face the PLDT High Speed Hitters on Saturday in Lanao del Norte.
Faith Nisperos was once regarded as one of the country's most promising collegiate talents, and her future appeared bright when she signed with the Akari Chargers three years ago in what was considered the franchise's biggest recruitment at the time.
However, a devastating knee injury the following year derailed her path to potential stardom.
Now that the 5-foot-11 winger and former two-time UAAP juniors MVP is back on the court, Akari head coach Tina Salak is excited to see her talented ward's return, likening her to a phoenix rising from the ashes.
"I'm happy she has returned and she's working hard and we expect to see a new Faith," said Ms. Salak after Akari claimed its first win in two starts following a 27-25, 27-25, 21-25, 25-22 victory over Choco Mucho over the weekend in Polomolok, South Cotabato.
The performance marked a significant improvement from Ms. Nisperos' two-point effort in Akari's four-set defeat to ZUS Coffee on July 8 in Ilagan, Isabela.
Ms. Salak, however, stressed that the team is not rushing Ms. Nisperos, who contributed significantly in limited minutes, scattering nine points.
"The important thing is the factor of Faith (Nisperos) returning mentally," said Ms. Salak. "We know it would be gradual, one step and one day at a time and she's working hard to achieve it."
Ms. Nisperos will have another opportunity to test her repaired knee cartilage when the Chargers battle the PLDT High Speed Hitters on Saturday in Lanao del Norte.
In the long run, a renewed Ms. Nisperos would be a major boost for a franchise also awaiting the return of Mars Alba, Justine Jazareno, and Fifi Sharma from Alas Pilipinas duties — the Philippine national team program that has drawn several PVL stars away from their club schedules — as it seeks a breakthrough PVL crown. The Chargers, one of the league's younger franchises, have yet to capture a championship since joining the country's premier professional volleyball league.
Until then, Ms. Nisperos knows she must remain patient.
"If there's one thing, I didn't lose my love for the game and that keeps me going," said Ms. Nisperos. — Joey Villar