After leaving Ateneo, Faith Nisperos looks to shine with Akari

Ateneo’s Faith Nisperos and Vanie Gandler. –UAAP PHOTO

In the darkness of a missed playoff appearance, Faith Nisperos reached for the light.

The talented open spiker decided to forego her remaining years of eligibility with the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP and announced on Tuesday that she was turning pro and will join the young Akari Chargers in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).

“I have decided to forgo my UAAP eligibility to move on to the pros,” Nisperos told journalists via a video conference. “I believe that in my seasons with Ateneo, I was able to fulfill my duties by playing my very best every time I [was] on the court. I’ve learned a lot from my coaches, my teammates, even from my opponents each year.”

“But I have decided to learn by taking greater heights in the PVL. And, I want to be able to step up more out of my comfort zone because I believe this is the best way to hone my talent and my character as an athlete. I’m very excited to face and learn from the very best local professional volleyball players in the PVL,” she added.

Easily one of the most talented and creative scorers in the collegiate level, Nisperos adds a lot of offense to the young Chargers. But it is what she can gain that the 5-foot-11 star from Davao is most excited about.

“I really like their long-term plan for me and for the team, and how are they handling the team. While the top priority is to win, They didn’t put pressure on my shoulder but rather just pure encouragement for me to just enjoy playing the sport that I love,” she said.

Nisperos debuted with Ateneo in the 2020 season that was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. In Season 84, she led the Blue Eagles to a semifinal stint that ended in a loss to eventual runner-up La Salle in the team’s second stepladder match.

Ateneo, however, faltered to a 4-10 (win-loss) record in Season 85, which turned out to be Nisperos’ last with the Katipunan-based squad.

Still, she hopes she carved her own place in Ateneo sporting lore.

“I want to be remembered as someone who could influence change. I know right now I’m moving on but I hope that they’ll remember me as someone… who left a mark that will be good for the program,” Nisperos said.

“You’ve seen my journey and it’s really up and down. The No. 1 [lesson I learned] is being resilient, being able to pick yourself up, and being able to conquer adversities,” she added.

Nisperos isn’t the only standout who had played her final season with the Blue Eagles. Outside hitter Vanessa Gandler earlier announced she is also turning pro after using up her UAAP eligibility.