Akari showcased its resilience once again, surviving another five-setter, this time against Chery Tiggo EV, 25-11, 22-25, 29-27, 17-25, 15-7, to secure its second consecutive victory in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Riding the momentum from their hard-fought, five-set triumph over defending champion Creamline last Saturday, the Chargers relied on a balanced offensive attack in the decider to seal the win.
They also briefly climbed to the top of Pool B in the Sports Vision-organized tournament with a perfect 2-0 record.
In the winner-take-all fifth set, Akari unleashed a total team effort, with Fifi Sharma, Grethcel Soltones, Ced Domingo, and Eli Soyud powering the offense with timely attacks. Meanwhile, Mars Alba orchestrated every play with precision.
Justine Jazareno turned defense into offense with crucial saves, keeping the Chargers in rhythm and setting the stage for a dominant finish.
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The Crossovers initially carried momentum from a lopsided fourth-set win, taking a quick 2-0 lead, but Akari responded immediately. Sharma and Soltones combined for back-to-back points, sparking a blistering 10-2 run that gave the Chargers a commanding 10-4 advantage.
Both squads traded hits from there, bringing the score to 12-7 in favor of Akari, before Sharma hammered another attack. Annie Michem blocked Ara Galang for her first point of the fifth, then Renee Peñafiel’s attack error finally sealed the hard-fought victory after two hours and 28 minutes.
“Actually, yun talaga yung tinitraining namin, ‘yung lagi kaming five sets. Biro lang, pero at least yun sa experiences namin with Creamline and Chery Tiggo. Doon sa five sets, nakita natin yung character ng team, ‘yung growth ng team. Nakita natin ‘yung composure nga ng team,” said Chargers head coach Tina Salak.
“So, marami na nagma-mature doon, nagbibigay ng malaking role at saka ng responsibility sa team. So, good thing na aside sa nananalo tayo with a five setter, ganun din, nagkakaroon ng personal or individual growth ‘yung bawat isa,” she added.
Soyud fired 18 points on 10 attacks, five aces, and three blocks, laced with eight excellent digs. Meanwhile, Michem also tallied 17 points on 15 attacks and two kill blocks to go along with 15 excellent receptions to power Akari’s 2-0 start in the conference backed by ICTSI, Mikasa, Milcu, and Fabriano.
Domingo showcased her offensive arsenal with seven attacks, five blocks, and four service aces to finish with 16 points, while Soltones and Sharma registered 11 and 10 points, respectively, in the win.
Alba once again tossed 21 excellent sets, while team captain Jazareno put up 27 excellent digs and six excellent receptions.
The Chargers aim to make it three wins in a row against a formidable Petro Gazz squad on October 23 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
On the other hand, the Crossovers — who missed the services of middle blocker Imee Hernandez due to rehab on her left knee — suffered a second-straight loss to open the tourney with a 0-2 record.
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Cess Robles provided the offensive power for Chery Tiggo EV with 20 points on 16 attacks and four blocks. Yunieska Batista had 17 points, 14 excellent digs, and nine excellent receptions.
Karen Verdeflor collected 18 excellent receptions and 17 excellent digs, while Jasmine Nabor dished out 22 excellent sets to go along with four points. Mylene Paat, now in her second game back since a shoulder injury, had eight.
The Crossovers look to bounce back against the Angels on Saturday at the Capital Arena in Ilagan City.
