Coming off back-to-back losses, Akari bounced back with a crucial straight-set win over also-ran Nxled, 25-13, 25-17, 25-22, moving to the cusp of a quarterfinal spot in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference on Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Chargers had to withstand a late surge from the Chameleons in the third set to forge a tie with Cignal for fifth place. Both teams hold identical 4-3 records and are just one win away from securing a playoff berth.
Holding a comfortable 19-10 lead late in the third, Akari dug deep as Nxled launched a last-ditch effort to extend the match. The team went on a blistering 8-1 run that cut the lead to just two points.
That proved to be the Chameleons’ final stand, as the Chargers responded with decisive attacks, led by Annie Michem, Ezra Madrigal, and Ced Domingo. The trio delivered the crucial hits to seal the win after an hour and 15 minutes of play.
(C) PVL Images
“Actually, we got a really, really, really nice recovery, but even though marami pa rin kaming lapses from the past games, we still have to improve yung mga small balls namin,” said Akari head coach Tina Salak.
“But I’m really happy we recovered and we played well against Nxled. Medyo half-hearted ako kasi yung team ko before was Nxled. Still, iba na yung mission namin today,” she added.
Michem fired a game-high 22 points on 19 attacks, two kill blocks, and one ace, along with 10 excellent receptions for the Chargers.
Grethcel Soltones added 12 points and 11 excellent digs, while Domingo and Eli Soyud contributed eight and seven points, respectively, in the pivotal win that boosted their playoff bid.
Mars Alba tossed 21 excellent sets and scored three points, while Justine Jazareno recorded 15 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions.
“Moving forward to another game, we have great momentum now. We’re very excited to train tomorrow, right? Yun yung mga good thoughts, good vibes namin, even though yung five-setter games namin came in losses, meron pa rin kaming nilu-look forward to,” Salak said.
Akari will aim to secure its quarterfinal spot when they finish the eliminations against Choco Mucho on Tuesday, 4:00 PM, at the Ynares Center Montalban.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, the Chameleons absorbed their seventh consecutive loss in as many outings.
Paola Martinez was limited to 10 points, while team captain Chiara Permentilla also had 10 points, along with nine excellent receptions in the loss.
Nxled will look to end its campaign on a high note against ZUS Coffee, also on Tuesday, at 1:30 PM.
