PVL: Dani Ravena to play for Akari Chargers

Dani Ravena. INQUIRER.net/Tristan Tamayo

MANILA, Philippines—Dani Ravena opens a new chapter in her career with the Akari Power Chargers, who will make their Premier Volleyball League (PVL) debut in the 2022 Reinforced Conference in October.

Akari welcomed the former Ateneo libero-captain on Wednesday as its fifth player for its upcoming professional debut.

In this one bigger fight, we anticipate an even more fearless version of you. Let the hustle reignite that fire in you, Dani Ravena! ⚡️💖 #AkariRising pic.twitter.com/8Iyg6Ep2cf

— Akari Chargers (@AkariChargers) July 13, 2022

Ravena played her last playing year for the Blue Eagles in the UAAP Season 84 women’s volleyball tournament, where Ateneo recovered from a 0-3 start and won three knockout games — beating University of the Philippines to force a playoff, eliminating Adamson for the last semifinals ticket, and taking down the No.3 University of Santo Tomas in the first phase of stepladder — before falling to a twice-to-beat La Salle.

The 22-year-old libero was the league’s No.6 Best Digger with an average of 2.57 digs per set in 14 elimination matches of her final season.

Ravena, who was part of Ateneo’s Season 81 champion team two years ago, will be protecting the floor of Akari, coached by Brazilian Jorge Souza de Brito and handled by her mother and team manager, Mozzy.

The youngest among the Ravena siblings is teaming up with fellow Blue Eagle Jho Maraguinot, former collegiate rivals Michelle Cobb and Trisha Genesis, as well as Lycha Ebon.

Ebon was revealed by Akari’s fourth recruit on Monday.

The former Far Eastern University star is coming off a controversial exit with the Lady Tamaraws after she didn’t finish the second round of Season 84 to pursue “other opportunities after graduating,” according to athletic director Mark Molina last May.

Ebon, who only scored a total of 38 points in seven games in her last season, is starting fresh after her rookie year was cut short by an ACL injury, while her sophomore year two years ago was wiped out by the pandemic after two games.