{{Short description|Professional women's volleyball team}} {{use Philippine English|date=January 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}} {{Infobox volleyball club | clubname = Akari Chargers | short name = Akari | nickname = Power Chargers | image = Akari Chargers logo.png | founded = 2022 | owner = Akari Lighting & Technology Corporation | mgrtitle = Head coach | manager = Tina Salak | captain = Justine Jazareno | league = Premier Volleyball League | season = 2026 All-Filipino | position = '''6th place''' | website = {{URL|https://akarisports.com.ph/event/akari-power-chargers-f2-logistics-cargo-movers/|akarisports.com.ph}} | pattern_la1 = | pattern_b1 = | pattern_ra1 = | pattern_s1 = | leftarm1 = | body1 = | rightarm1 = | shorts1 = | pattern_la2 = | pattern_b2 = | pattern_ra2 = | pattern_s2 = | leftarm2 = | body2 = | rightarm2 = | shorts2 = | titles = | current = 2026 Akari Chargers season }}
The '''Akari Power Chargers''', more commonly known as the '''Akari Chargers''', are a Philippine women's professional volleyball team by Akari Lighting & Technology Corporation. The team competes in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), where they have been since its establishment in 2022, and is the sister team to the Nxled Chameleons.
Akari's first venture into the PVL predates the Chargers itself, as they were the sponsor of the Adamson Lady Falcons during the 2018 Open Conference.
In 2024, Akari acquired Celine Domingo and Grethcel Soltones, which helped the team earn a series of podiums over the next few conferences. In the 2024 Reinforced Conference, they made the finals for the first time, where they lost to the Creamline Cool Smashers in the culminating series.
==History== The Akari Chargers was organized by Akari Lighting & Technology Corporation, announcing its official entry into the Premier Volleyball League as the 10th professional club team.<ref>{{cite news |title=Akari commits to PVL as 10th team |url=https://pvl.ph/news/akari-commits-to-pvl-as-10th-team |access-date=May 31, 2022 |work=PVL |date=May 31, 2022}}</ref> Akari's has been a longtime sponsor of the Adamson Lady Falcons collegiate volleyball team which clinched the 2019 Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Isaga |first1=JR |title=Akari set on forming 'best team possible' ahead of PVL debut |url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/volleyball/akari-set-forming-best-team-possible-premier-volleyball-league-debut/ |access-date=June 30, 2022 |work=Rappler |date=June 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630162453/https://www.rappler.com/sports/volleyball/akari-set-forming-best-team-possible-premier-volleyball-league-debut/ |archive-date=June 30, 2022}}</ref>
Before the start of the 2022 reinforced conference, Akari announced that it tapped the Brazilian head coach of the Philippines women's national volleyball team, Jorge Souza de Brito to be its head coach.<ref>{{cite news |title=Akari signs Jorge Edson Souza de Brito as head coach |url=https://pvl.ph/news/akari-signs-jorge-edson-souza-de-brito-as-head-coach |access-date=June 30, 2022 |work=PVL |date=June 30, 2022}}</ref> The team debuted in the 2022 Reinforced Conference.
The team made its first finals appearance in the PVL during the 2024 Reinforced Conference,<ref>{{cite news |title=Akari charges into first-ever PVL finals - but not before controversy |url=https://www.spin.ph/volleyball/pvl/akari-charges-into-first-ever-finals-after-another-five-set-win-a5172-20240831 |access-date=September 4, 2024 |work=Spin.ph |date=August 31, 2024 }}</ref> where they settled for silver after losing 3–0 to the Creamline Cool Smashers.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Caacbay |first1=Kenneth |title=Creamline captures ninth PVL crown at Akari's expense |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/9/4/creamline-captures-ninth-pvl-crown-at-akari-s-expense-1415 |date=September 4, 2024 |work=ABS-CBN |access-date=September 4, 2024}}</ref>
==Current roster== {{Main|2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference}} {{Akari Chargers roster}}
== Season-by-season records == <!-- Use <hr> to separate final round and classification round matches --> {| class="wikitable" |- style="font-weight:bold; {{PVL color cell|Akari Chargers|border=2}};" | Season || Conference || Preliminary round || Final round || Ranking || Source |- | 2022 | Reinforced | 8th (3–5, 9 pts) || Did not qualify | 8th place | <ref>{{cite web |last=Velasco |first=Jillian |date=November 15, 2022 |title=Rivera goes out on a high as Akari dents F2 Logistics semis bid |url=https://www.spin.ph/volleyball/pvl/akari-beats-f2-logistics-as-prisilla-rivera-scores-32-points-a5136-20221115 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115124125/https://www.spin.ph/volleyball/pvl/akari-beats-f2-logistics-as-prisilla-rivera-scores-32-points-a5136-20221115 |archive-date=November 15, 2022 |access-date=August 27, 2024 |website=Spin.ph}}</ref> |- | rowspan=3 | 2023 | First All-Filipino | 8th (2–6, 5 pts) || Did not qualify | 8th place | <ref>{{cite news |last1=Dannug |first1=Jonash |date=March 14, 2023 |title=PVL: Creamline seals top seed as Akari ends campaign |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/pvl-creamline-seals-top-seed-as-akari-ends-campaign/265869 |access-date=March 14, 2023 |work=Tiebreaker Times}}</ref> |- | Invitational | 4th (1–3, 3 pts) {{small|(Pool A)}} || Did not qualify <hr> Lost in ninth place match va. Petro Gazz, 2–3 | 10th place | <ref>{{cite web |date=July 20, 2023 |title=Petro Gazz settles for 9th, stops Akari in 5 |url=https://pvl.ph/news/petro-gazz-settles-for-9th-stops-akari-in-5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827081918/https://pvl.ph/news/petro-gazz-settles-for-9th-stops-akari-in-5 |archive-date=August 27, 2024 |access-date=August 27, 2024 |work=Premier Volleyball League}}</ref> |- | Second All-Filipino | 7th (5–6, 14 pts) || Did not qualify | 7th place | <ref>{{cite web |date=November 30, 2023 |title=Creamline holds off Akari, nears sweep |url=https://pvl.ph/news/creamline-holds-off-akari-nears-sweep |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827085225/https://pvl.ph/news/creamline-holds-off-akari-nears-sweep |archive-date=August 27, 2024 |access-date=August 27, 2024 |work=Premier Volleyball League}}</ref> |- | rowspan=3 | 2024 | All-Filipino | 7th (5–6, 15 pts) || Did not qualify | 7th place | <ref>{{cite web |date=April 27, 2024 |title=Akari cruises past Strong Group, finishes 7th |url=https://pvl.ph/news/akari-cruises-past-strong-group-finishes-7th |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427134144/https://pvl.ph/news/akari-cruises-past-strong-group-finishes-7th |archive-date=April 27, 2024 |access-date=April 27, 2024 |work=Premier Volleyball League}}</ref> |- | Reinforced | 1st (8–0, 21 pts) || Won in quarterfinals vs. Farm Fresh, 3–1 <br> Won in semifinals vs. PLDT, 3–2 <br> Lost in championship vs. Creamline, 0–3 | bgcolor="silver" | '''Runner-up''' | <ref>{{cite web |date=September 4, 2024 |title=Creamline claims 9th title, ends Akari's unbeaten streak |url=https://pvl.ph/news/creamline-claims-9th-title-ends-akari-s-unbeaten-streak |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240904145118/https://pvl.ph/news/creamline-claims-9th-title-ends-akari-s-unbeaten-streak |archive-date=September 4, 2024 |access-date=September 4, 2024 |work=Premier Volleyball League}}</ref> |- | Invitational | colspan=4 {{n/a|Did not participate}}{{efn|group=league|Although Akari qualified for the 2024 Invitational Conference, the team declined the invitation to participate in the conference due to injuries.<ref>{{cite web |last=Isaga |first=JR |title=Unrelated to controversy: Top-seeded PVL team Akari pulls out of Invitationals due to injuries |url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/volleyball/premier-league-akari-chargers-pull-out-pvl-invitational-conference-injuries-2024/ |website=Rappler |access-date=September 3, 2024 |date=September 3, 2024}}</ref>}} |- | rowspan=4 | 2024–25 | All-Filipino | 7th (5–6, 15 pts) || Won in quarterfinals vs. Galeries Tower, 2–0{{efn|group=league|name=Bo3|Best-of-three series.}} <br> Finished 3rd in semifinals (1–2, 2 pts){{efn|group=league|name=RR|Round-robin tournament.}} <hr> Won in third place series vs. Choco Mucho, 2–1{{efn|group=league|name=Bo3}} | bgcolor=#c96 | '''3rd place''' | <ref>{{cite web |date=April 12, 2025 |title=Soyud sparkles as Akari claims historic AFC bronze |url=https://pvl.ph/news/soyud-sparkles-as-akari-claims-historic-afc-bronze |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250412100738/https://pvl.ph/news/soyud-sparkles-as-akari-claims-historic-afc-bronze |archive-date=April 12, 2025 |access-date=April 12, 2025 |work=Premier Volleyball League}}</ref> |- | PVL on Tour | 5th (2–3, 6 pts) || Lost in quarterfinals vs. Cignal, 0–3 | 8th place | <ref>{{cite web |title=Santos sizzles again as Cignal rolls into semis, ousts Akari |url=https://pvl.ph/news/santos-sizzles-again-as-cignal-rolls-into-semis-ousts-akari |access-date=7 August 2025}}</ref> |- | Invitational | colspan=4 {{n/a|Did not qualify}} |- | Reinforced | 8th (4–4, 12 pts) || Won in quarterfinals vs. Farm Fresh, 3–0 <br> Lost in semifinals vs. Petro Gazz, 2–3 <hr> Won in third place match vs. PLDT, 3–2 | bgcolor=#c96 | '''3rd place''' | <ref>{{cite web |title=Akari shocks PLDT in wild bronze medal thriller |url=https://pvl.ph/news/akari-shocks-pldt-in-wild-bronze-medal-thriller |access-date=30 November 2025}}</ref> |- | 2026 <br> {{small|(team)}} | All-Filipino | 6th (5–4, 15 pts) || Lost in Play-in final {{small|(Pool B)}} vs. Creamline, 1–3 | 6th place | <ref>{{cite web |title=Creamline rebounds in set 4 to oust Akari, seals semis return |url=https://pvl.ph/news/creamline-rebounds-in-set-4-to-oust-akari-seals-semis-return |access-date=7 April 2026}}</ref> |}
; Notes {{notelist|group=league}}
== Individual awards == {| class="wikitable" ! width=70px style="background:#ED0C8C; color:#FFFFFF; text-align: center" | Season ! width=150px style="background:#ED0C8C; color:#FFFFFF" | Conference ! width=200px style="background:#ED0C8C; color:#FFFFFF" | Award ! width=200px style="background:#ED0C8C; color:#FFFFFF" | Name ! width=50px style="background:#ED0C8C; color:#FFFFFF; text-align: center" | Ref. |-style="text-align:center;" | rowspan=1|2024 | Reinforced | 2nd Best Outside Spiker | {{flagicon|PHI}} Grethcel Soltones | <ref>{{cite web |last=Demigillo |first=Kiko |title='MVPons' finally real as Bernadeth Pons takes home PVL Reinforced Conference MVP and Finals MVP honors |url=https://www.onesports.ph/pvl/article/24207/mvpons-comes-to-fruition-as-bernadeth-pons-takes-home-2024-pvl-reinforced-conference-mvp-honors |website=One Sports |access-date=September 4, 2024 |date=September 4, 2024}}</ref> |}
== Team captains == * {{flagicon|PHI}} Michelle Cobb (2022–2025) * {{flagicon|PHI}} Justine Jazareno (2025–present)
== Imports == {| class="wikitable" ! width=70px style="background: black; color: #ed0c8c; text-align: center" | Season ! width=70px style="background: black; color: #ed0c8c" | Number ! width=180px style="background: black; color: #ed0c8c" | Player ! width=180px style="background: black; color: #ed0c8c" | Country |- align=center |2022 || 14 || Prisilla Rivera || {{flagu|Dominican Republic}} |- align=center | 2024 || 04 || Oluoma Okaro <ref>{{cite web |title=Akari signs American middle blocker Oly Okaro |url=https://pvl.ph/news/akari-signs-american-middle-blocker-oly-okaro |work=Premier Volleyball League |access-date=July 3, 2024 |date=July 3, 2024 |archive-date=July 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703032538/https://pvl.ph/news/akari-signs-american-middle-blocker-oly-okaro |url-status=live }}</ref> || {{flagu|USA}} |- align=center | 2025 || 22 || Annie Michem <ref>{{cite web |title=Akari bolsters wing rotation with Annie Michem |url=https://pvl.ph/news/akari-bolsters-wing-rotation-with-annie-mitchem |access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Demigillo |first=Kiko |date=2025-10-01 |title=Àkari lands American spiker Annie Michem for PVL Reinforced Conference campaign |url=https://www.onesports.ph/pvl/article/36265/akari-lands-american-spiker-annie-mitchem-for-pvl-reinforced-conference-campaign |access-date=2025-10-01 |website=onesports.ph |language=en}}</ref> || {{flagu|USA}} |}
==Former players== {{col-begin-small}} {{col-2}} '''Local players''' ;{{Flagu|Philippines}} * Andrea Marzan * Bingle Landicho * Camille Victoria * Cathrine Almazan * Chiara Permentilla * Dindin Santiago-Manabat * Erika Raagas (2022–2025) * Ezra Madrigal (2022–2025) * Geneveve Casugod (2022) * Gyra Barroga (2022) * Jamie Lavitoria (2022) * Janel Maraguinot * Janine Marciano (2022–2024) * Jhoana Louise Maraguinot * Krich Macaslang * Luth Malaluan * Lycha Ebon * Rachel Jorvina * Roselle Baliton * Shiela Marie Pineda * Trisha Genesis * Ysabela Bakabak
{{col-2}} '''Foreign players''' ;{{Flagu|Dominican Republic}} * Prisilla Rivera
;{{Flagu|USA}} * Annie Mitchem * Oluoma Okaro {{col-end}}
== Draft history == {| class="wikitable" ! width=70px style="background: #ED0C8C; color: white; text-align: center" | Season ! width=70px style="background: #ED0C8C; color: white" | Pick No. ! width=180px style="background: #ED0C8C; color: white" | Name |- align=center | 2024 || 6 || Stephanie Bustrillo |- align=center | rowspan=3|2025 || 10 || Chenie Tagaod |- align=center | 22 || Jamaica Villena |- align=center | 27 || Joan Doguna |}
==Coaches== * {{flagicon|BRA}} Jorge Souza de Brito (2022–2023)<ref>{{cite news |title=Akari accepts De Brito resignation |url=https://pvl.ph/news/akari-accepts-de-brito-resignation |access-date=December 14, 2023 |work=PVL |date=December 14, 2023}}</ref> * {{flagicon|PHI}} Raffy Mosuela (2024; Interim coach)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dannug |first1=Jonash |title=Raffy Mosuela to handle Akari on interim basis |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/raffy-mosuela-to-handle-akari-on-interim-basis/293179 |access-date=January 23, 2024 |work=Tiebreaker Times |date=January 23, 2024}}</ref> * {{flagicon|JPN}} Takayuki Minowa (2024–2025)<ref>{{cite web |last=Garcia |first=John Mark |title=PVL allows swap of players, coaches between sister teams Akari, Nxled |url=https://www.spin.ph/volleyball/pvl/pvl-allows-swap-of-players-coaches-sister-teams-akari-nxled-a5172-20240520 |access-date=May 20, 2024 |website=Spin.ph |date=May 20, 2024 |archive-date=May 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524121446/https://www.spin.ph/volleyball/pvl/pvl-allows-swap-of-players-coaches-sister-teams-akari-nxled-a5172-20240520 |url-status=live }}</ref> * {{flagicon|PHI}} Tina Salak (2025–present)<ref>{{cite news |last=Dukha III |first=Angel B. |title=Salak now has reins as Akari chases maiden PVL crown |url=https://sports.inquirer.net/623354/salak-now-has-reins-as-akari-chases-maiden-pvl-crown |access-date=May 12, 2025 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=May 12, 2025 |archive-date=May 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250512064918/https://sports.inquirer.net/623354/salak-now-has-reins-as-akari-chases-maiden-pvl-crown |url-status=live}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Akari Chargers}} {{Akari Chargers current roster}} {{Premier Volleyball League}}
Category:Akari Chargers Category:Premier Volleyball League teams Category:Volleyball clubs established in 2022 Category:2022 establishments in the Philippines