Eli Soyud went on a rampage on Tuesday, erupting for 30 points to lead Akari to its second straight win in the 2026-27 PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series.
But for the 5-foot-10 opposite spiker, individual scoring milestones take a backseat to the team’s success.
“Actually, wala akong idea na umabot ako sa 30 points basta ‘yung akin, manalo kami. ‘Yun ang main goal,” said Soyud after the Chargers escaped Farm Fresh, 25-22, 25-27, 22-25, 25-23, 15-12, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
Soyud tallied 30 points on 27 attacks, two blocks, and a service ace to help Akari improve to a 2-2 record, tying Farm Fresh and Capital1 for fourth place.
The 30-year-old veteran credited the trust of the coaching staff, which continued to encourage her to attack aggressively despite occasional errors and mishits.
“Siyempre, ‘yung tiwala na binigay nila sa akin, ‘yun ‘yung pinanghahawakan ko rin. And ‘yung tiwala ng coaches na wala silang ibang binigay sa akin na instructions kundi sige, paluin ko lang, huwag kang mag-hesitate, which is ‘yun din ang sinunod ko,” said Soyud, the 2025 PVL Press Corps Most Improved Player.
(C) PVL Images
It was the second consecutive game in which Soyud led the Chargers in scoring. She previously delivered 12 points in their surprise sweep of the PLDT High Speed Hitters on Oct. 20.
Akari struggled out of the gate, losing to Creamline and Capital1 in its first two games before turning its campaign around with back-to-back victories fueled by renewed determination and a sharper approach.
“Mahirap bumangon ‘pag sunod-sunod ‘yung talo, so talagang tiyatiyagain namin, especially sa training. Doon talaga ‘yung magsimula, kung paano kami mag-prep, kung paano ‘yung magiging game plan namin pag-abot sa game,” said Soyud.
“Ngayon, nagbubunga na siya at nakikita na ‘yung potential ng team.”
Aside from Soyud, Ivy Lacsina and Fifi Sharma also scored in double figures with 21 and 11 points, respectively, while Mars Alba contributed eight points and 22 excellent sets.
Akari will enjoy a week-long break before returning to action against Galeries Tower on Nov. 3 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
