Akari Chargers’ Grecthel Soltones and Ced Domingo in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Just a few days back from a championship stint in Thailand, Ced Domingo’s much-publicized Premier Volleyball League (PVL) return was—compared to the standards she has come up with playing for another team—way underwhelming.
After just one practice session with Akari trying to learn the Chargers’ system, no one’s actually blaming her.
Building chemistry with a new set of teammates and recovering from a long season with Nakhon Ratchasima is the immediate goal. And she loves what her new team looks like and the potential it possesses.
READ: PVL: Ced Domingo has a quiet Akari debut as she adjusts to new system
“[Akari looks] super exciting, especially that we’re under coach Taka [Minowa]. So [I am] really looking forward [to improving with the team],” said Domingo, after scoring just two points in limited time in Akari’s 21-25, 25-18, 25-12, 25-18 loss to Cignal on Saturday.
“Honestly, when I joined practice for the first time, I felt kind of small,” the 5-foot-8 Domingo continued. “They are so tall and very promising.”
To say that Akari has the promise is actually an understatement, with the Chargers also getting Gretchel Soltones in the offseason to join Domingo, Faith Nisperos, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, former La Salle standout Fifi Sharma with whom Domingo shares the middle blocker position, and setter Michelle Cobb.
READ: Ced Domingo brings maturity, composure from Thailand stint
“My mindset going back here was firstly, to see what Akari’s system is, and if it’s okay, how fast I will be able to adapt,” she said.
“I know that in the long run, we really have what it takes [to compete]. We just need to work on our chemistry and [establish] more connection,” the former Creamline stalwart, who has already won a Finals Most Valuable Player, said.
Domingo will look to bring in her maturity, composure and smarts that helped the Cool Smashers win several PVL titles, as well as international experience from her time in Thailand to Akari, which will be coming off its best finish of seventh place under the resigned Jorge Souza de Brito.
But she knows that it will take some time, especially that she is undergoing a lot of adjustments in just a short period of time.
“Honestly, at some point, it’s a bit overwhelming … but at the end of the day, that’s life,” Domingo said. “I am just learning how to cope and how I will approach it every day.
“I am figuring it out day by day,” she added.