Akari will enter the crossover second round undefeated after dealing Cignal its first loss, 15-25, 25-17, 25-19, 25-22, in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Philsports Arena on Tuesday.
The Chargers finished their Pool B games at 5-0 while pushing the HD Spikers down to 4-1 for second. Both teams will enter the next round as part of the top three in their group, facing the bottom three from Pool A.
“Actually, it was a slow start. Every time we lose the first set, then we rise. That’s what we need to work on differently because if we keep on doing that, we just make it high intensity when we can win 3-0. It’s just extra minutes for us,” said Akari head coach Taka Minowa.
After a 10-point lopsided loss in the opening frame, the Chargers’ resolve never wavered. They responded with a huge second frame followed by another strong performance in the third to reverse their fortunes.
Building on the past two frames, Akari’s momentum continued as they built a 16-7 lead in the fourth. Although Cignal threatened by closing in to within two late, 22-24, Oly Okaro hammered the finisher with a down-the-line hit, sealing the win in two hours and 11 minutes.
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American import Okaro delivered 24 points, while Ivy Lacsina and Ced Domingo contributed 14 and 10 points, respectively.
Kamille Cal seemed to be adjusting well as the starting playmaker with 14 excellent sets to go with eight points, including three blocks. Liberos Dani Ravena and Max Juangco had nine digs and nine receptions, respectively.
Grethcel Soltones also had an all-around performance with eight points, 19 receptions, and 11 digs.
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MJ Perez was the lone HD Spiker in double digits with 24 points, along with 11 receptions and nine digs. Riri Meneses and Ces Molina added nine and eight points, respectively, in the losing effort.
The two teams will battle Nxled, Galeries, and a still-to-be-determined team in the next round.
