Returning from injury, Grethcel Soltones made an immediate impact, delivering clutch plays to lift seventh-seeded Akari past sixth-ranked Farm Fresh in a five-set thriller, 25-11, 23-25, 18-25, 25-21, 15-9, securing a spot in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals, Tuesday at the Philsports Arena.
Playing in her first match since December 10 due to a minor left knee injury, Soltones proved she hadn’t lost her edge.
With the deciding set tied at 7-all, she teamed up with Ivy Lacsina to break the deadlock, capitalizing on a string of errors from Alyssa Bertolano to spark a crucial 5-0 run.
Soltones then put the finishing touch on Akari’s hard-fought win, sealing the victory with a kill block on Trisha Tubu.
Despite only playing three sets, Soltones finished with 11 points — six of them coming in the fifth frame, where her experience and composure proved invaluable.
Lacsina led four Chargers in double figures with 22 points, including an explosive 11-point performance in the opening set.
Eli Soyud added 14 markers, while Cams Victoria chipped in 10 as Akari snapped a two-game losing skid.
“Siguro ‘yung aggressiveness namin nawala nung second and third set at syempre nag-adjust ‘yung kalaban, so dapat mag-adjust din kami. Medyo late lang po kami naka-adjust,” said Lacsina.
“Sa endgame naman, sabi namin kailangan kapitan talaga namin ito kasi pinagtrabahuhan na namin buong game.”
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Akari also asserted its defensive presence at the net, racking up 12 blocks, 10 more than Farm Fresh, with Soltones and Victoria accounting for three each.
The Chargers further capitalized on Farm Fresh’s shaky service reception, tallying nine aces while surrendering just four.
Lacsina set the tone early, scoring a flawless five-of-five on attacks to spearhead Akari’s explosive first-set romp.
Though the Foxies fought back to claim the next two frames, the Chargers regrouped and leaned on their depth to reclaim control of the match.
Stung by the lopsided opening frame, the Foxies came out aggressive in the second set, racing to a quick 4-0 lead.
However, Akari swiftly regrouped, stringing together four consecutive points to level the score at 5.
What followed was a thrilling back-and-forth battle, with Farm Fresh ultimately capitalizing on Akari’s errors to snatch the set and tie the match at 1-1.
The momentum swung further in Farm Fresh’s favor in the third set, as they raced to a commanding 12-4 lead behind Tubu’s powerful attacks.
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Despite a valiant fightback from Akari, errors plagued their comeback attempt, allowing the Foxies to secure a 2-1 advantage.
With their backs against the wall, Akari turned to Soltones in the fourth set, and the veteran delivered, hammering crucial kills to establish an 11-7 lead.
The Chargers maintained control despite Farm Fresh’s persistent fightbacks, sealing the frame with clutch hits from Soltones, Victoria, and Soyud.
Farm Fresh attempted a late surge in the fourth frame, with Louie Romero’s well-placed drop ball trimming Akari’s lead to 14-16.
However, the Chargers held their ground, with Domingo’s quick attack keeping them ahead, 22-19.
Soyud’s down-the-line winner and a costly Farm Fresh error pushed Akari to set point before Soltones delivered the final blow to force a decider.
Akari then imposed its will in the fifth, with Soltones spearheading the charge.
Her crucial points in the final stretch lifted the Chargers past Farm Fresh, completing a dramatic comeback victory in two hours and 13 minutes.
With the win, Akari joins Creamline, Petro Gazz, Choco Mucho, and Galeries Tower in the quarterfinals, with PLDT and ZUS Coffee still battling for the final slot at presstime.
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The last two berths will be determined through the play-in tournament among the six losers in the qualifying round.
Meanwhile, Trisha Tubu led all scorers with 23 points for Farm Fresh. Aly Bertolano added 13 markers, and Rizza Cruz finished with seven.
However, the Foxies struggled to match Akari’s firepower, as the Chargers dominated in attacks, 59-49.
