Fifi Sharma has played a vital role in Akari’s resurgence in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.

Sharma has become the Chargers’ spark plug, injecting energy and urgency that fueled their climb, powering the team to back-to-back wins after a dismal four-game slide to start the tournament.

The 5-foot-11 middle blocker’s impact was on full display in their gutsy 25-23, 20-25, 11-25, 25-23, 15-11 five-set triumph over Cignal on Saturday, as she tallied 16 points on 11 attacks and five kill blocks to lead Akari past the former league leaders.

But beyond the numbers, Sharma brought her signature swagger and infectious energy, lifting her teammates and intensifying the team’s play at crucial moments.

“Yes, super yes for me, especially kasi yun yung nakakapag-contribute, like yung energy ko sa loob ng court,” said the Alas Pilipinas standout.

“’Yun kasi yung nagbibigay sa akin ng purpose to play for my teammates kasi ayoko silang naaapi or ayoko silang—basta, ganun ako. Ako na lang yung mag-step up. Sige, bigay niyo na sa akin ’to, ako na yung magra-“rawr.” I love that!” she added.

Meanwhile, Chargers head coach Tina Salak highlighted the team’s body language, praising how her players carried themselves even during rough stretches of the match.

She said their composure and refusal to back down, even when momentum swung against them, reflected the growth and resilience the squad has been building.

(C) PVL Images

“Magandang start yung makikita mo sila in a body language na yun nga sabi nila competitive and energized sila not because of other people, because kailangan din namin makuha yun,” said Salak.

“Yun yung isasabay namin kung paano namin i-handle yung game, paano namin i-contribute yung pwede naming galaw sa court especially when times are rough. I have to remind namin na walang ganung attachment sa sports, you have to refocus, you have to go back to the game plan,” she added.

Sharma, for her part, said the win was crucial for the team, giving them a much-needed boost and another chance to bounce back after a difficult start.

“This game talaga. I feel like monumental sa team, especially to get our momentum going, kasi nga we had a very bad start, so ngayon yung chance namin para magkaroon ng magandang momentum, and I feel like that’s my motivation playing for my teammates and contribute as much as I can to get the win,” said Sharma, daughter of former PBA player Carlo Sharma.

She also credited the intensity and energy of the fans for helping elevate the team’s play, noting that the crowd’s support kept their momentum alive throughout the match.

Adding to the excitement, Akari welcomed a special group of spectators from Sisters of Mary Girls Town in Cavite, whose presence gave the team an extra lift.

“Ang saya ng laro kapag ganun yung energy when you can see the passion. ’Yun din nakatulong siya kasi apart from the people cheering, andaming nanood today,” Sharma said.

“Sobrang nakakagana yung ganitong atmosphere na sobrang lively and sobrang ingay.”

The post It was Girls Town energy, not just swagger, that fueled Fifi Sharma vs. Cignal appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.

For a third consecutive season, University of the Philippines remained in contention for a championship, anchored by a core that consistently sets the standard for its play.

Last season, the Fighting Maroons leveraged their offensive firepower and well-oiled system to reach yet another Finals series. But when one crucial weapon was missing at the wrong time, the squad eventually surrendered another title to the Adamson Lady Falcons.

A key part of that offensive arsenal was smart, strategic baserunning, delivered by then-second-year outfielder Angel Pascual. She would go on to claim the Most Stolen Bases award, complementing the hitting and slugging of her captain and eventual MVP, Nickole Dela Cruz.

Pascual’s skills, paired with her strong defensive performance, caught the attention of national team coaches, including Adamson head coach Ana Santiago, a two-time Finals opponent. Days after the Season 87 Finals, Pascual was training with the Blu Girls.

Her debut with the national squad was a roller-coaster ride, culminating in her first-ever SEA Games gold in women’s softball and the country’s 11th straight. Pascual described the experience as both challenging and rewarding.

(C) SEA Games

“Yung rookie time ko sa national team, hindi siya naging gano’n kadali kasi mas bata ka, tapos makikipagsabayan ka sa mga veterans,” the Secondary Education junior shared.

“Mahirap makipagsabayan, pero at the same time, masaya siya kasi nga ibang level na ‘yon. Mahirap siya na masaya kasi ang dami kong natutunan.”

The Blu Girls also competed in the Women’s Asia Cup, and while the Philippines’ level of play is high, Santiago always reminded her players to stay grounded and approach every game with full effort.

Pascual has carried that lesson into her third year with UP.

“Siguro ‘yung pagiging determinado kasi kapag sa national team, kailangang palaban ka. Lahat ng game, dapat laban,” she said.

“Sabi nga ni Coach Ana, walang i-easy-hing kalaban. Lahat — mahina man o malakas — kailangang pinaghahandaan, kasi do’n mo talaga makikita na professional kang maglaro. Yung wala kang sinasabihan na, ‘Mahina lang yan; kahit hindi na tayo maghanda.’ Lagi niyang sinasabi sa ‘min na, malakas o mahina ang kalaban, lumaban pa rin ng patas.”

These are the lessons Pascual hopes to bring to the pitch as one of UP’s most experienced student-athletes, both as a third-year and as a Blu Girl.

“Siguro ‘yung masasabi ko lang na kahit gaano kahirap ‘yung training, mentally and physically, hindi ka dapat sumuko. Kasi at the end of the day, sarili mo lang rin talaga ‘yung kakampi mo sa lahat and makakatulong sa’yo,” the Bulakenya standout added.

After a rousing win against Ateneo de Manila University to start the season, Pascual hopes UP will continue refining its game and showing up fully on the pitch, maintaining the high level it achieved over the past three years.

“Looking forward, gusto kong makita ‘yung pinaghandaan ng UP team, kasi talagang naghanda naman kami. Siyempre, gustong makita na mailabas namin ‘yung pinaghandaan namin,” she said.

“Marami na kasing aalis sa amin, so gusto kong makita na maibigay namin ‘yung full best namin.”

The post Angel Pascual brings Ana Santiago’s ‘don’t treat any game lightly’ mindset to UP appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.

Eya Laure was thrilled to return and play a key role as Choco Mucho snapped a three-game skid in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference. Her return came after sitting out one game due to an abdominal injury.

Laure had aggravated the injury during the Flying Titans’ four-set loss to Creamline on February 10. She missed the team’s heartbreaking five-set defeat to Capital1 last week, which extended their losing streak to three matches following a strong debut win over Akari.

But the 26-year-old winger made her comeback on Thursday night, entering the match in the second set of Choco Mucho’s thrilling five-set victory over Galeries Tower, 26-24, 20-25, 22-25, 25-13, 15-12, at the Filoil Centre.

“Malaking bagay na nakapagpahinga rin ako para makalaro ulit, kasi medyo nag-struggle talaga ako after nung Creamline na game,” said the Alas Pilipinas standout, who joined Choco Mucho after a lengthy layoff caused by contract issues with her former team, Chery Tiggo.

(C) PVL Images

Laure delivered 18 crucial points, powered by 14 attacks, two aces, and two kill blocks, along with seven excellent receptions, helping the Flying Titans escape a potential upset that could have derailed their campaign.

The former University of Santo Tomas star expressed gratitude to the coaching staff and management for prioritizing her health and giving her the chance to rest — a decision that allowed her to make a strong and timely return.

“I just returned to full ball workouts three days ago, and my rhythm is still coming back, but I’m glad I could perform at a high level despite the short preparation,” Laure said.

“Well, the past few days I think kakabalik ko lang din ng bola talaga. Parang three days ago tapos ‘yung bola ko pa, is talagang buong bola so binigyan din ako ng coaches and management ng time to recover din talaga and ayun.”

Beyond her impressive stats, the 5-foot-10 outside spiker provided much-needed leadership on the court, helping steady the team after the Highrisers mounted a strong second-set challenge that shifted momentum.

“Siyempre kasi lagi ko namang sinasabi rin kina Ate kanina na pinaghirapan na maabot sa fifth set, so trabahuhin na namin and i-keep namin ‘yung ano na magtulungan sa isa’t isa,” she said.

Laure and the Flying Titans will aim to make it two consecutive wins when they face Nxled on Tuesday at 4 p.m., at the same venue.

The post Eya Laure credits rest for strong return in Choco Mucho skid-snapping win appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.