Surging Akari kept its momentum rolling, stunning Creamline in four sets, 25-21, 26-24, 17-25, 25-21, to secure its fourth consecutive victory in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at the Filoil Centre.
After a dismal 0-3 start, the Chargers have engineered a remarkable turnaround, climbing to fourth place with a 4-3 record. Their win marked their second-ever franchise victory over the Cool Smashers and ended Creamline’s five-game winning streak.
“I’m very proud dito sa dalawa [Ivy Lacsina and Mars Alba], and especially, of course, sa buong team namin, even if nagsa-struggle kami sa very start,” said Akari head coach Tina Salak.
“There’s a reason kung bakit kami ngayon nagkakaganito — yung winning streak. Nai-inspire namin ang bawat isa every day sa training, and we don’t lose hope kasi bilog ang bola. Regardless of what’s happening, tuloy ang buhay,” she added.
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Ivy Lacsina led the Chargers with 20 points on 18 attacks, adding a block and an ace. She also contributed 17 excellent receptions.
Eli Soyud added 15 points, and Grethcel Soltones finished with 14 points and 12 excellent receptions. Middle blockers Ced Domingo and Fifi Sharma chipped in seven points each in the two-hour, five-minute triumph.
Justine Jazareno, who earned her second straight Player of the Game honor, delivered 22 excellent receptions and six excellent digs. Then Mars Alba put up an all-around stat line of 18 excellent sets, 10 excellent digs, and three markers.
The Chargers withstood a late surge from the Cool Smashers in the fourth set, as Creamline saved three match points in a tense rally. Jema Galanza’s timely hit trimmed Akari’s six-point lead to three at 24-21, but Chen Tagaod closed it out with a decisive kill off the block.
Akari will aim to extend its winning streak against Galeries Tower on Tuesday at 4:00 PM, at the same venue.
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Meanwhile, Creamline slipped to 5-2, tying Cignal for second place with identical records.
Jema Galanza led the Cool Smashers with 16 points on 14 attacks and two blocks, along with seven excellent receptions.
Tots Carlos added 10 points and nine excellent digs, while Jeanette Panaga contributed nine markers.
Bernadeth Pons — who had been averaging 16.33 points this conference — was held to just eight points, her first single-digit output of the tournament.
Creamline will look to bounce back against Farm Fresh on Tuesday at 6:30 PM.
