DASMARIÑAS, CAVITE – Given a rare chance to turn in a better debut after its opening-day loss to ZUS Coffee was voided, Akari made sure not to let the moment slip away.
The Chargers seized the opportunity, and what better way to make a statement than by claiming their first-ever win against defending champions Creamline, the team they fell to in the last import-laced tourney title series?
They took a 23-25, 25-23, 30-28, 23-25, 15-12 victory to kick off their 2025 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference campaign with a victory at the Dasmariñas Arena here.
American reinforcement Annie Mitchem, who had to sit out Akari’s unofficial debut due to delays in the International Transfer Certificates (ITC), made an immediate impact in her first PVL game.
She erupted for 33 points along with 14 excellent receptions.
The Chargers’ gritty showing powered Akari to a landmark victory — the franchise’s first-ever win in 10 meetings against the league’s winningest club, making the statement all the more significant.
“I’m very happy sa result namin,” said Akari head coach Tina Salak, whose first official game with the squad turned out to be a historic victory over the Cool Smashers in the tournament organized by Sports Vision.
“Of course, matagal na ‘yung anticipation for a win against Creamline. It happened today, so thank you for these ladies beside me. Also, team effort, especially ‘yung coaches pagdating sa decision making namin. On point lahat nung nangyari,” she added.
(C) PVL Images
Coming off a momentum-boosting win in the extended third set, the Chargers looked poised to close out the contest in four. But Tots Carlos, Jeanette Panaga, and Michele Gumabao stepped up in the clutch, helping Creamline push the match to a winner-take-all fifth set.
All seemed lost for Akari as the Cool Smashers leaned on their championship experience, sustaining the momentum they built in the fourth set and taking a 9-7 lead in the decider following an off-the-block hit by Courtney Schwan.
But the Chargers refused to go down, with Mitchem delivering a down-the-line hit and a back-row attack, before Fifi Sharma unleashed a thunderous quick. A Gumabao net error followed, sparking a 4-0 run that suddenly put Akari ahead, 11-9.
Gumabao managed to stop the bleeding, but a service error by Rhea Villarete kept the pressure on. Schwan’s push trimmed Akari’s lead to just one, yet crucial attack errors from Alyssa Valdez and Carlos handed the Chargers a match point.
An attack error from Eli Soyud gave Creamline some breathing room, but Mitchem then slammed a decisive off-the-block hit, sealing the hard-fought victory for the Chargers after three hours and 16 minutes of intense play.
“I’m really happy and proud of us because this team is really good. That’s what everyone said, and I’m very glad that we won this game, it was like really difficult. We were down by a lot of points in some moments, but we came back, which I’m so proud of,” said the American outside hitter.
Mitchem drew massive support from her supporting cast, with Soyud leading the way with 14 points. Meanwhile, middle blockers Fifi Sharma and Ced Domingo added 13 and 12 points, respectively, to fuel Akari’s gutsy win.
Mars Alba glued things together with 21 excellent sets. Team captain Justine Jazareno registered 15 excellent sets.
Akari is eager to sustain its fine start against Chery Tiggo EV on Tuesday, 1:30 PM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, the last time that the Cool Smashers dropped their debut game was back in the previous Reinforced Conference, where they lost to PLDT.
Schwan posted a team-high 26 points on 21 attacks and five kill blocks to go along with 15 excellent digs and nine excellent receptions. Meanwhile, skipper Valdez tallied 18 points, 11 receptions, and nine digs in the absence of Jema Galanza.
Carlos, in her first game back since Game 3 of the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals, finished with 12 points in the loss.
Creamline will look to bounce back against Petro Gazz also on Tuesday at 6:30 PM.
