The character that the revamped Akari has is not something that import Oly Okaro expected when she first met the Chargers at the beginning of the PVL Reinforced Conference.

But that same character has been instrumental in bringing Akari to where it is right now: a 10-game winning run and on the verge of securing a first-ever title in its young history.

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“Nothing’s changed. They’re still very goofy and they still like to have fun,” Okaro said after dropping 39 points against PLDT to lift her young squad to a maiden Finals appearance. “The only thing that I would say that is different, they’re a lot more focused and aggressive.”

Akari’s journey from being a mid-tier team to a formidable squad was riddled with tight five-set reverse sweeps and issues—the most recent one coming nonetheless from a controversial win of the Chargers against PLDT that sent them to the Finals.

In the top-seed’s semifinal match against PLDT, the Chargers were nearly eliminated while facing match point as Ezra Madrigal committed an apparent net fault. The High Speed Hitters called for a video challenge but after a lengthy discussion, officials ruled it was an unsuccessful challenge and gave a point to Akari, which eventually took the match.

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PLDT has filed a protest, but the league has decided to maintain the decision, citing the FIVB rule book.

But the Chargers cannot afford to dwell on the past with the chance to prove that it has what it takes to complete a Cinderella run at hand against a very experienced team in eight-time champion Creamline.

“I think it will be the same … never-give-up attitude [of Akari],” coach Taka Minowa said. “But they can [move on], if [the set is already done] they can change their mindset, that’s a good point for Akari.”

“Past is past. Just focus on the next ball, that’s the most important thing for Akari,” Minowa added.

Turning tables

The winner-take-all chance to make history for either teams, originally slated on Monday at 6 p.m. at Smart Araneta Coliseum, was postponed due to Tropical Storm “Enteng.”

Both teams will have more time to prepare for the rescheduled all-or-nothing clash on Wednesday at PhilSports Arena after Cignal and PLDT fight for the bronze medal at 4 p.m.

No one has been able to put a dent on the perfect campaign that Akari currently has thanks to the trio of Okaro, Grethcel Soltones and Ivy Lacsina. But at the same time, it hasn’t played the Cool Smashers yet this conference.

Creamline last won a Reinforced title six years ago and even without its own trio of Alyssa Valdez, Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza, the Cool Smashers still managed to return to the Finals of the import-laden conference after turning the tables on the HD Spikers late Saturday night.

“I always tell my team to not focus on the totality of the set but rather in specific situations and points. I have trust in our team to come back from a deficit, but hopefully it doesn’t happen again,” coach Sherwin Meneses said, laughing, after pulling a reverse sweep on Cignal.

“Honestly, I still can’t say anything yet [about what we need to do against Akari] because we were focused on Cignal. I would be able to have an answer and adjustments maybe later on,” Meneses added. INQ