After missing the entire 2024 Reinforced Conference due to her national team duties, Faith Nisperos made a triumphant return to the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), delivering a standout performance in Akari’s rousing debut victory over Nxled in the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference.
The Ateneo outside hitter had been away, playing with Alas Pilipinas, but when she finally suited up for the Chargers, she wasted no time making her presence felt. Coming off the bench in the first three sets, Nisperos started the game-clinching fourth set and was instrumental in Akari’s four-set victory, 28-30, 25-15, 25-16, 25-23. Her nine points in the final set helped secure the win, and her total of 16 points on an efficient 16-of-28 attacking clip showed she was ready to pick up right where she left off.
“It all boils down [with] the confidence na na-gain ko since the Alas stint,” said the 24-year-old spiker, reflecting on how her time with the national team elevated her game. “Of course, every opportunity naman ibigay kahit sino pa samin, we’re willing to give it all naman talaga. Of course, every time we step on the court, every moment matters so we have to give a hundred-percent effort all the time.”
Despite the loss in the first set, Akari never lost their focus, and Nisperos provided the spark they needed in the later frames. She showed that her skill was still sharp, but it was her newfound confidence, shaped by her international experience, that made the difference.
“The skills everyday nati-train ‘yan but ‘yung pinaka na-carry over ko from my Alas stint is the confidence,” she said. “So, as long as nandun ‘yung confidence ko sa sarili ko and trust ko sa teammates ko, I guess I could contribute to the team.”
Nisperos had watched Akari make a deep run in the 2024 Reinforced Conference, finishing as the top seed in the elimination round. However, they fell short in the finals, swept by the dominant Creamline squad. Now back with the team that reached its first-ever finals, Nisperos is focused on reintegrating herself into the system and helping Akari achieve even more this season.
“Everything is a process talaga and I think I’m still at the point of trying to adapt, trying to gel more into the system, especially sa setters kasi siyempre, sila talaga ‘yung ka-relationship ko pag dating sa paglalaro,” Nisperos explained, acknowledging that the chemistry with her teammates would take time to rebuild.
With the long all-local conference ahead, Nisperos knows there is no rush to find her rhythm. “It’s a process, it’s a long conference. So I’m gonna take that opportunity, more than trying to win but like trying to improve each game,” she added, underscoring her commitment to continuously grow as a player.
