Akari overcame a tough challenge in the third set to defeat Capital1 in straight sets, 25-9, 25-17, 28-26, securing its second consecutive win in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at the Philsports Arena.
The Chargers were coming off a straight-sets victory over Nxled last January 23.
They leaned on Ivy Lacsina, Fifi Sharma, and Faith Nisperos in the extended third frame to dispatch the Solar Spikers and improve to a 5-4 record, climbing to fifth place in the standings.
Akari dominated the first two sets but found itself in a tightly contested third set. Shola Alvarez and Trisha Genesis stepped up for Capital1, helping the Solar Spikers gain a 24-22 lead.
Lacsina responded with a powerful attack off an over-received ball, followed by a crucial reaching violation by Iris Tolenada that tied the score at 24-all. Sharma then denied Genesis at the net to push Akari to match point.
Nisperos delivered the finishing blow to complete the sweep in one hour and 30 minutes.
(C) PVL Images
“Siguro ako po, ang naging motivation ko po ay is siyempre ‘yung teammates ko po, sila coach. ganyan. Kasi po parang ‘yun nga po, may mga na-injure sa’min na teammates, and kami po ‘yung nandito, kaya para po every game po gugustuhin po namin manalo,” said Lacsina.
Lacsina led all scorers with 15 points, built on 14 attacks, along with four excellent receptions. Eli Soyud contributed 12 points and five excellent digs, while Nisperos added eight points for Akari.
Setter Kamille Cal dished out 14 excellent sets and scored three points. Justine Jazareno anchored the floor defense with 16 excellent digs.
“This is going to be a long conference, and we are still in the elimination round, so at least we have a chance to challenge different systems,” said Akari head coach Taka Minowa.
“I want to challenge the players during games, not just in practice, because that’s what we’ve been working on. Capital1 played with great fighting spirit until the end, even after losing the first set 25-9. That’s something we can learn from them,” he added.
Despite missing key players Grethcel Soltones and team captain Michelle Cobb, Akari received a boost with the return of Ced Domingo, who had been sidelined since the semifinals of the 2024 Reinforced Conference due to a knee injury.
Domingo made a brief appearance late in the first set but did not play in the next two frames.
The Chargers will face Choco Mucho next Saturday at 6:30 PM at the same venue.
(C) PVL Images
On the other hand, Capital1 fell to a 1-7 record, tied with Galeries Tower in 10th-11th place.
Genesis was the lone double-digit scorer for the Solar Spikers with 14 points, while Rica Rivera contributed 11 excellent digs and six excellent receptions.
The Solar Spikers will aim to snap their four-game losing streak when they take on Cignal on Thursday at 6:30 PM.
