Akari Chargers’ star Grethcel Soltones in the PVL Reinforced Conference semifinals game against PLDT High Speed Hitters. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Love her or hate her, but Grethcel Soltones said she won’t stop her from giving her all every time she plays inside the court.
Soltones’ “Dahil??? HAHAHA” post on X put her on the receiving end of bashing from the volleyball fans who assumed that she was taking a shot at the PVL’s decision to postpone the supposed semifinal games on Thursday due to power outage at Philsports Arena and rescheduled it on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.
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Soltones, who remained locked in for Akari amid the social media storm, helped complete their come-from-behind 25-22, 18-25, 22-25, 26-24, 17-15 win to enter the PVL final for the first time in the Reinforced Conference.
READ: PVL: Akari ousts PLDT in controversial finish to advance to final
The former NCAA MVP out of San Sebastian said that it wasn’t about the game suspension and encourage the volleyball fans to be kind.
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“As in talagang nagtweet lang ako kasi guys not connected sa volleyball kasi I posted that bago lumabas yun,” Soltones told reporters. “No hate tayo, guys. Relax lang tayo and also open context naman yung tweet ko so sana peace na lang.”
“Hindi naman sila nagpapakain sa akin or nagpapasweldo, hindi dapat masayang yung pinagtrabahuan namin as a team. Thankful din ako sa kanila kasi mas gusto ko yung nachachallenge ako,” added Soltones, who had 16 points and 12 digs.
WATCH: Grethcel Soltones on staying focused despite the social media backlash after her “Dahil???” tweet. #PVL2024 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/oaVRAfWMWu
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) August 31, 2024
Soltones, though, thanked her supporters including BINI Mikha Lim, who pulled up at MOA Arena to cheer for her and the Akari Chargers.
READ: PVL explains no net fault in controversial Akari-PLDT endgame
“Sobrang thankful kasi nga nakasama ko rin siya sa Star Magic Games and also hindi ko inexpect na ganun pala siya kafriendly knowing her na sikat na siya since dati pa,” said Soltones of Lim, who also watched them against Farm Fresh two weeks ago at FilOil EcoOil Centre.
“Sobrang nakakatuwa kasi siyempre low key lang kami, especially me. Hindi ko din inexpect na sa sobrang sikat niya, kaya pa pala niya maglaan ng time para sa amin.”
BINI member Mikha Lim watching the PVL semifinals between Akari Chargers and PLDT High Speed Hitters. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Lim, who also plays volleyball as a setter, said she has been enjoying watching the PVL and supporting her friends Soltones, Dani Ravena, and Fifi Sharma, who didn’t play this conference due to her Alas Pilipinas duties.
“Sobrang ganda ng napapanood ko, mga talented people sa volleyball. It’s so fun, I love them, I like watching volleyball, it’s nice that a lot of people support that in the Philippines,” said the member of the nation’s girl group. “I’m supporting my friends sa Akari–si Dani, si ate Grethc, and Fifi pero hindi siya makakalaro.”
READ: PVL: Same old Soltones hopes to bring zest, composure at Akari
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Soltones, who conspired with Oly Okaro and Ivy Lacsina to reach the championship game, is happy for their breakthrough with 10 straight wins en route to the championship game on Monday after setting a goal of a fifth or sixth place.
“Happy and also sabi nga ni coach Taka marami pa kaming kailangan ayusin. Hindi talaga namin to inexpect na aabot kami ng semis kasi ang target lang namin is maka sixth or fifth tapos ayun na. Hello!” said Soltones. “Meron talagang pressure kasi wala kaming talo kaya kailangan every game ibigay namin yung best namin. Isa sa mindset ko talaga na during this time, bawal kami matalo pero at the same time dapat nageenjoy kami.”