Eight-seed Akari wielded the upset axe with chilling precision, stunning top-ranked Farm Fresh in a nerve-wracking straight-set thriller, 28-26, 30-28, 25-21, to crash into the semifinals of the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference on Monday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Chargers summoned the grit they had shown throughout the elimination round, outlasting the Foxies in grueling, extended duels in the first two frames. They then slammed the door shut in the third to complete a stunning sweep and advance to the top four.
Akari head coach Tina Salak credited the massive upset — against a Farm Fresh squad that entered the quarterfinals unbeaten — to the collective effort and meticulous preparation her team put in over the weekend.
(C) PVL Images
“Lahat ‘to team effort. Lahat, everything. From technical to small informations to feedbacks, lahat ‘to, everything goes doon sa training namin. Inall-out na namin, and we made sure it wasn’t the last training for Akari. So lahat ‘yun minindset, tamang mindset,” Salak said.
“Especially, I’m very thankful dito sa ladies na ‘to [Michem and Jazareno]. They gave all their best today — not just today, meron pa tayong tomorrow and the day after. But still, we have to focus on the goal. Continue pa rin to work, training ulit kami tomorrow,” she added.
American reinforcement Annie Mitchem powered the offense with 25 points — all from attacks — along with 14 excellent receptions. She helped Akari erase every lingering doubt from its shaky elimination-round run and secure its third consecutive semifinal berth.
While Mitchem led the attack, team captain Justine Jazareno anchored the floor defense, recording 21 excellent digs at 55-percent efficiency and adding 10 excellent receptions at 71-percent.
Eli Soyud and Grethcel Soltones, who only played in the last two sets, each finished with 10 points. Meanwhile, Fifi Sharma tallied nine, including three of Akari’s seven blocks in the one-hour, 38-minute victory.
Mars Alba distributed 19 excellent sets and added three points for the Chargers.
Akari will face the winner of the highly-anticipated clash between defending champion Creamline and Petro Gazz on Thursday.
(C) PVL Images
On the other hand, it was a crushing heartbreaker for Farm Fresh. The team had looked nearly invincible during the eliminations and was aiming for a long-awaited semifinals breakthrough.
Belgian winger Helene Rousseaux, visibly emotional after the match, was the lone bright spot for the Foxies with 25 points and nine excellent receptions.
Ces Molina contributed eight points, while Trisha Tubu was limited to just six. Farm Fresh’s local contingent struggled to generate offense, leaving Rousseaux to shoulder most of the load.
Alohi Robins-Hardy added 14 excellent sets and seven points, while Alyssa Bertolano recorded 16 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions.
The Foxies had multiple chances to steal the first two sets, but each time they opened a door, Akari slammed it shut — sending Farm Fresh home and marking the team’s third exit in the quarterfinals in as many playoff appearances.
