Akari pulled off another amazing reverse sweep, this time against Petro Gazz, with scores of 23-25, 21-25, 25-23, 29-27, 16-14, to stay atop Pool B of the 2024 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
After Wilma Salas scored two straight points to put the Angels at match point in the decider, 14-13, Oly Okaro responded with back-to-back hits before Grethcel Soltones served up an ace for the Chargers’ stunning victory.
“I would say today felt different. I definitely felt like I relied a lot on the team, and I didn’t feel that I was always up. I felt I just needed an extra pull and I don’t think I made the best decisions, even towards the end,” said Okaro, as her teammates also stepped up.
(c) PVL Images
The Chargers delivered a strong finish in the third set, winning 25-23, with Okaro and Cams Victoria leading a 4-1 run to overcome a 21-22 deficit. Ivy Lacsina also shone in the fourth set.
With Petro Gazz at match point in the fourth set, 27-26, Okaro went down the line. Lacsina then scored back-to-back points, including an off-the-block hit and a solid block on Wilma Salas, to force a deciding set.
Akari is now tied with Cignal at 3-0, while Petro Gazz suffers its second consecutive defeat, dropping to a 1-2 record.
This is also the Chargers’ first-ever win against the Angels since joining the league in 2022.
Okaro followed up her 38-point performance against Choco Mucho with another explosive showing, scoring 31 points on 29 attacks, one block, and one ace.
“Siguro yung pinagdadaanan namin as a team kasi these past few months, hindi talaga ganon kaganda. But doon kami humuhugot ng lakas para maayos yung game, na hindi porket hindi maayos yung training o nagkakagulo yung mga bagay, dapat kapag laro, game,” said Grethcel Soltones, who added 19 points to support Okaro.
Lacsina also contributed 18 points.
Akari will seek a fourth consecutive victory on Thursday against ZUS Coffee at 5:00 PM. Meanwhile, Petro Gazz will aim to rebound against Cignal earlier at 1:00 PM.
Brooke Van Sickle led the Angels with 24 points and 16 digs, while Salad added 22 points and eight receptions.
Despite receiving 39 errors from the Chargers, the Angels still fell short.
