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PVL: On her record night, Prisilla Rivera relishes crucial victory more


Imported Akari Prisilla Rivera launched PVL's best scoring attempt against Choco Mucho.  –PVL PHOTOS

Imported Akari Prisilla Rivera launched PVL’s best scoring attempt against Choco Mucho. –PVL PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines – Prisilla Rivera consistently spiked, making powerful serves and defending the floor to keep Akari’s own goal in the semi-final in the first season of the Premier League in Enhanced Conference.

And as she played hard for the Power Charger, the Dominican racer provided best scoring performance in PVL . history with a record 44 points to beat Odina Aliyeva and Choco Mucho Flying Titans in five sets, 23-25, 25-21, 25-19, 21-25, 15-12, on Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan .

Rivera, who was virtually unstoppable with a 39 out of 79 strike clip and had four aces and one block, broke the most points in a PVL game set up by former Importer Banko-Perlas , who scored 41 points in a five-round defeat to PayMaya in the do-or-die semi-final on July 6, 2018.

But on her historic night, the only thing that mattered to Rivera was their much-needed win to end the trilogy and stay in the semi-finals with an improved 2-4 record.

“Of course, I’m happy for our victory and scoring. I could have two points, even 50 points or more but most importantly we need to win,” said the three-time Olympic stadium-winning athlete, who was coached by coach Jorge Souza de Brito interprets the answer in Spanish.

The Brazilian coach said the three-time Olympian was the perfect foreign player to lead their youth team as Rivera was “almost a coach” inside the field with skill, leadership and her stability no matter the situation.

“Akari brought her to shine here, to make our alliance stronger and so congratulations to her, to her teammates who have helped her. But she is wonderful. She is a three-time athlete. Not because of this, but because every training she comes to proves herself,” said de Brito.

Rivera may not be fluent in English but her dedication has set a great example for her young teammates.

Janine Marciano, the Power Chargers’ local top scorer, said their imports were a leading factor for them.

Marciano, who helped Rivera against Choco Mucho, said: “So grateful that Prisilla was on our team and as you can see, she’s really been a good leader on and off the court. “Her drive really pushed every one of us, the locals, to really step up and help her. We are happy that we have an Olympic athlete.”

After Rivera’s historic night, De Brito said his team has no plans to back down in their final two games where they continue to fight for survival.

Hopefully importing Akari will continue to help other teams make money.

“You learn the competition. We are always trying to see how to get to the top. In the next two games we also have a chance to stay in the Top 4,” said de Brito. “Thinking now is to do our best because we know we can beat them, all of them if you play consistently… Even if you don’t win, they’ll have a hard time with us.”

Akari takes on PLDT slip next Thursday at the same venue before finishing the knockout round against F2 Logistics on November 15 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

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