Eli Soyud was quick to prove her mettle after being included in the PNVF’s 33-strong Alas Pilipinas wishlist.
Three days before Akari opened its 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals against Choco Mucho, opposite spiker Eli Soyud was named part of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation’s “wishlist” for the Alas Pilipinas national team.
Soyud was one of 33 prospects eyed by the PNVF, and is expected to compete for a national team slot through a series of tryouts ahead of a busy 2025 calendar for international competitions.
“Isang malaking achievement na mapunta doon sa wishlist ng Alas, kasi hindi rin naman basta basta ‘yung mga nandoon eh. So sobrang nakakagulat din, lalo na ako! Pero isa siyang motivation para may mapatunayan kami sa sarili namin,” recalled Soyud, with teammates Justine Jazareno and Faith Nisperos also being part of the PNVF’s wishlist.
Inspired by that national team consideration, the 29-year-old exploded for a career-best 34 points on Saturday as Akari escaped the Flying Titans in a thrilling 20-25, 25-19, 25-23, 22-25, 16-14 comeback at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Through her dominant performance, Soyud recorded the sixth-highest scoring output in the PVL’s history, while tying the conference high set by PLDT High Speed Hitters star Savi Davison and Petro Gazz Angels ace Brooke Van Sickle.
“Oo! Syempre magugulat ako na nandoon ako sa wishlist, nobody expected na nandoon ako. So for me, isang malaking motivation sakin, and para na din ‘yun sakin. And syempre, para na din ‘yun sa team ko, na nandito na kami so i-grab na namin ‘yung opportunity and ibigay na talaga lahat lahat,” she said moments after Akari’s statement win over the Titans.
Along with the national team consideration, Soyud is also eager to repay the trust given by head coach Taka Minowa, who has given her the task of replacing import Oly Okaro as their starting opposite hitter.
So far, Soyud has been on an upward trajectory for the Chargers, averaging 19.5 points against the Galeries Tower Highrisers in the conference quarterfinals prior to Saturday’s scoring tear.
“Parang syempre, ito na ‘yung time ko, nabigyan ako ng playing time, so ginrab ko na and syempre, gusto ko rin na di yun masayang. Syempre sakin na din ‘yun eh, and binigyan ako ng playing time so dapat talagang i-grab ko ‘yung opportunity na ’to na syempre, para sa career ko din para makapaglaro and mapatunayan kung kaya ko ba talaga,” the former Adamson and DLSU star reflected.
The 29-year-old also had a short response to the backlash she’s faced as part of the Alas Pilpinas wishlist: “Hindi [ako apektado] parang kasi kahit naman sino nandoon, palaging may masasabi eh, so ako maglalaro lang ako para sa team ko, para matulungan sila na maka-angat kami.”
Statement win
As Soyud proved her mettle over the weekend, so did the rest of the Chargers. Being the new kids on the block against proven contenders, it’s easy to write them off as underdogs. Yet despite this, they stood firm against the veteran-laden Flying Titans, capitalizing on their personnel woes even with usual stars Ivy Lacsina and Grethcel Soltones being limited themselves.
For a while, though, it seemed like the Chargers’ stand would go in vain as Choco Mucho forced a decisive Set 5. The Flying Titans had won six-straight five-setters in the All-Filipino wars, and were quick to take a 14-11 advantage over Akari in their semifinals bout.
But this proved to be the last of Choco Mucho’s points, as service errors from Sisi Rondina and Reg Arocha coupled with a Mich Cobb block setting up Faith Nisperos’ crosscourt shot that sealed Akari’s win.
“Mindset namin is walang bibitaw, kahit anong mangyari sa bola. Kukuhanin namin, bubuhayin namin,” libero Justine Jazareno said post-game.
Added Soyud, “Same as kay Justine, ‘yun lang talaga, kasi wala eh. Kung ‘di kami lalaban, wala talaga mangyayari samin, so kami ibigay na lang lahat para wala nang magkakaroon ng parang panghihinayang so ayun, buti naman nagbunga.”
Up next for Akari will be the Creamline Cool Smashers this April 1 at the Philsports Arena, where they will attempt to book their slot into the All-Filipino title bout.
Banner images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.