Despite staring at a daunting 4–15 hole in the fourth set, Akari refused to break.
The Chargers mounted a stunning comeback and ultimately turned back PLDT in a gripping five-set thriller, 15-25, 25-23, 21-25, 26-24, 20-18, to clinch the bronze medal in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Akari’s spirited fightback — ignited by an improbable fourth-set rally — set the stage for a dramatic finish led by American import Annie Michem and once-struggling Eli Soyud in the finale.
After erasing an 11-point disadvantage in the fourth set, the Chargers went toe-to-toe with the High Speed Hitters in a nail-biting fifth frame, which saw 12 deadlocks before ultimately ending on a fortunate break.
(C) PVL Images
Facing a 17-18 deficit, Akari narrowly escaped disaster when a service error by Jovie Prado hit the net, followed by Ced Domingo converting an ace — despite a solid reception from Savannah Davison — giving the Chargers a 19-18 lead.
A frantic finish unfolded as PLDT unleashed a thunderous attack, throwing Akari’s defense into disarray.
In the chaos, Soyud made an emergency toss to the opposite side. The ball clipped the net and slipped past a stunned Anastasiia Bavykina, tumbling to the floor to seal the win for the Chargers after a grueling, two-hour and twenty-four-minute battle.
“With that match, everybody doubted us,” said Akari head coach Tina Salak. “Even in the fourth set… Even ourselves, we doubted ourselves sa fourth set na ‘yun. We didn’t realize na holding on together is the best thing we can possibly do to win this bronze medal.
“But still ‘yun nga, marami akong nakita with my team. Doon sa lineup namin, marami tayong natutunan and also marami akong nakita rin na pwede natin baguhin and i-improve, not actually baguhin but i-improve.”
Michem dropped 36 points on 34 attacks, one ace, and one block to go along with 12 excellent receptions to help cap the Chargers’ run to back-to-back podium finishes in the import-laced tournament.
Grethcel Soltones showcased her two-way prowess with 14 points, 13 excellent receptions, and 10 excellent digs. Middle blockers Ced Domingo and Fifi Sharma tallied nine and eight points, respectively.
Struggling to find her rhythm all game long, Soyud picked the perfect moment to deliver as she tallied five of her six points in the fifth frame.
Team captain Justine Jazareno registered 23 excellent digs, while playmaker Mars Alba dished out 22 excellent sets to go along with three points.
(C) PVL Images
On the other hand, PLDT, which entered the conference as a strong title contender after ruling both the PVL On Tour and Invitational, settled for fourth place.
Davison left it all out on the court with 30 points to go along with nine excellent receptions. Meanwhile, Bavykina finished with 28 points on 26 attacks and two aces, laced with eight excellent digs for the High Speed Hitters.
The Proliga-bound Dell Palomata tallied 11 points in her last game with PLDT before joining the Medan Falcons.
