Akari coach raves over Rivera after PVL scoring feat
MANILA, Philippines — The Premier Volleyball League (PVL) was rocked on Thursday after the Akari Chargers' Prisilla Rivera smashed the league record for most points scored with a 44-point explosion in a tough five-set win over the Choco Mucho Flying Titans at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
A good three markers clear of the old record set by then-BanKo Perlas import Kia Bright back in 2018, the three-time Olympian towed her team to a much-needed victory as the debuting squad chases a slot in the next round.
Head coach Jorge de Brito lauded Rivera for her Herculean effort, but also made sure to recognize the small things she did to make the historic game possible.
"I'm very proud of her... I think Akari brought her to shine here, to make our league be stronger and so congrats to her, congrats to the teammates [who have been] helping her. But she's been amazing," de Brito said after the game.
"She's a three-time Olympian. Not because of this, but because every training she comes to prove herself," he added.
Rivera herself deflected the praise for her scoring output and underscored the importance of the victory.
"Of course, she's happy because of our winning and scoring points. But most important [is] we need the win," de Brito quoted Rivera's as saying.
De Brito echoed this sentiment that the Dominican's efforts would have been for naught if Akari did not get the victory. The team is currently on the brink of elimination.
"She can have two points, even if you make 50 or more, it is my words now, but trying to explain for you, if you lost, it doesn't matter. So it's good because we win. And 44 [points]? Let's celebrate," said de Brito.
Rivera's scoring came in bunches, with her most crucial scoring run coming in the endgame when de Brito successfully challenged an outside call on one of Rivera's hits.
In the challenge, it was shown that the guest player's ball hit Choco Mucho's Kat Tolentino on the hand to make it an off-the-block point for the Akari Chargers. It gave them the match points, 14-11.
The Chargers hope to ride the momentum of the Rivera's record-setting performance when they face the PLDT High Speed Hitters on Thursday, November 10.
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