The Akari Chargers are putting their pristine record behind and focusing more on strengthening their mental game after booking a trip to the semifinals in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference over the weekend.

While winning all their nine games -- including a tough 17-25, 25-18, 25-22, 25-23 victory over the Farm Fresh Foxies in the quarterfinals -- is already an achievement, import Oly Okaru said the main goal is to hoist that championship trophy rather than preserving their pristine record.

“Going into this game unbeaten, we know it’s an all or nothing game. We know that our record wouldn’t mean anything because if you lose this game, that’s it,” said Okaru, who delivered 17 points against the Foxies.

“We just want to put it behind us. Not think much about the record and more on what we need to do,” she added.

Grethcel Soltones, who also fired 17 points in their latest conquest, echoed the sentiment and added there are still things that needed to be done.

“Kailangan pa naming matutunan kung paano kami maging masaya,” said Soltones. “Kasi kapag naghahabol kami, tatahimik lang kami. Kailangan first set pa lang, makita na yung enjoyment samin.”

Handling pressure is also among the things they needed to improve particularly in the crucial stretch of the conference.

“Kanina may naramdaman akong pressure na dumating,” admitted Ivy Lacsina, who contributed 12 points in the two-hour match against the Foxies.

“Pero ang maganda, may tumulong sa akin. Yun yung kailangan naming dalhin sa mga susunod na games: kung paano namin iangat ang isa’t isa para labanan ang pressure.”

The Chargers, who finished no higher than seventh in their five-conference stint since 2022, will face the winner of the PLDT-Chery Tiggo matchup in Thursday’s semifinals.

The finals will be on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.