Akari bounced back from an extended opening-set loss en route to defeating Galeries Tower in four sets, 28-30, 25-15, 25-16, 25-23, for a successful debut in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at the Philsports Arena.
The fully charged Chargers, who welcomed the return of a couple of key players, had plenty of heroes. Eli Soyud, Grethcel Soltones, Ivy Lacsina, and Faith Nisperos led a balanced offensive attack that stifled the Highrisers after two hours and 12 minutes of play.
“Since the last conference I handled Akari, we’ve always had a slow start, even today. It was supposed to be – I think we could have finished 3-0, but we expected Galeries to be a strong defensive team. We started with a lot of errors, so many attacks,” said Akari head coach Taka Minowa.
“Like the first set, we just gave away points. So we changed Ivy and Greth’s positions. They were able to find their spots and adjust,” added the Japanese tactician.
(C) PVL Images
After back-to-back dominant wins in the second and third sets, Akari faced resistance from Galeries in the fourth. The latter kept the game close early in the set before making a last-ditch attempt that almost caused Akari to crumble.
The Chargers were able to build a four-point cushion late in the fourth set after trailing the Highrisers in the early stages. Nisperos pierced through Galeries’ blockers for a 22-18 advantage.
Andrea Marzan, though, injected life into Galeries’ upset bid with consecutive blocks on Nisperos and Lacsina, followed by an Akari error that sliced the lead to just one, 21-22.
Nisperos stopped the bleeding with a cross-court hit, but Lacsina committed a net violation, which negated the point. Soyud then outsmarted her blockers with an off-speed attack to push the Chargers to match point, 24-22.
Ysa Jimenez, who had been brilliant for the Highrisers all game long, came through and saved a point with an off-the-block hit. However, Soyud responded with a scorching attack that sealed the win for Akari.
“Of course, every opportunity naman ibigay kahit sino pa samin, we’re willing to give it all naman talaga. Of course, every time we step on the court, every moment matters so we have to give a hundred percent effort all the time,” said Nisperos, who missed last season’s Reinforced Conference due to her commitment with Alas Pilipinas.
Soyud delivered an impressive performance in her surprise start with 21 points, including a game-high six blocks, for the Chargers.
Soltones had an all-around game with 16 points, 13 excellent digs, and eight excellent receptions, while Lacsina finished with 16 markers, built on 15 attacks.
Nisperos, in her first game back for Akari, poured in 16 points off the bench on an efficient 16-of-28 clip. Fifi Sharma, who also returned from national team duties, only played in the final frame and scored two points.
Dani Ravena had a great showing on the floor, tallying 11 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions.
The Chargers missed the services of middle blocker Ced Domingo, who sustained an injury during the semifinals of the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
Akari looks to build on this win as they next face ZUS Coffee on November 14, 6:30 PM at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.
(C) PVL Images
On the other hand, the Highrisers failed to sustain their fine start in their first game with third-overall pick Julia Coronel.
Coronel impressed in her debut and played a pivotal role in the team’s close first-set triumph, as well as their narrow defeat in the fourth.
Playing as both setter and spiker, the former La Salle skipper finished with nine excellent sets to go along with eight points.
Jimenez paced Galeries with 17 points on 15 attacks, one block, and one ace, while rookie Jewel Encarnacion and France Ronquillo chipped in 10 and eight points, respectively.
Alyssa Eroa tallied 13 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions.
Galeries Tower aims to bounce back against Choco Mucho, also on November 14.
