Grethcel Soltones.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Grethcel Soltones solidified the Akari Chargers’ roster ahead of the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) season.
After playing three seasons with Petro Gazz, Soltones moved to Akari, which welcomed her on Wednesday.
The 28-year-old outside spiker is bringing her two-way game to the Chargers, teaming up with young guns Faith Nisperos, Trisha Genesis, Fifi Sharma, Michelle Cobb, and Justine Jazareño as well as veteran players Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Eli Soyud, and Bang Pineda.
The former NCAA MVP out of San Sebastian College was the top 7 scorer of the league in the elimination round of the second All-Filipino Conference with 152 points built on 135 kills, nine aces, and eight blocks.
Petro Gazz Angels’ Grethcel Soltones in the PVL Invitational Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Soltones was also the No.7 Best Digger with 2.52 digs per set and No.8 Best Receiver with a 31.25% efficiency rate.
Akari has yet to reveal its interim coach after Jorge Souza de Brito’s resignation last December with Nxled Japanese coach Taka Minowa serving as Director of Volleyball Operations for both squads.
Akari has signed prized recruits since landing Manabat, Soyud, and Pineda to start the 2023 season before acquiring Nisperos in the Invitational Conference and Sharma and Jazareño in the second All-Filipino Conference.
The Chargers are looking to make their first PVL semifinal appearance this season after their best outing yet in the second All-Filipino with a 5-6 record for seventh place out of 12 teams.
Akari’s sister team, Nxled, recently signed prized recruit Ivy Lacsina from the disbanded F2 Logistics.