With the game on the line, Eli Soyud rose to the occasion, delivering a clutch performance that powered Akari to a thrilling five-set victory over Galeries Tower in Game 1 of the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals on Saturday.
Soyud proved to be the perfect complement to Chargers star Ivy Lacsina, who erupted for 28 points. The 29-year-old opposite spiker contributed 19 points of her own, 18 of which came from attacks, to help Akari secure the hard-fought victory.
The win didn’t come easy. Akari had to rally from a 1-2 deficit before prevailing, 21-25, 25-19, 20-25, 25-16, 15-11, moving them one step closer to another semifinals appearance.
“Nag-stick lang ako sa system ni Coach Taka (Minowa) and siyempre ‘yung tiwala din ng teammates ko na ‘Sige lang, paluin mo. Kami na bahala mag-cover.’ ‘Yun yung nag-boost din sa akin na paluin ko lang basta andiyan naman sila naka-alalay,” said Soyud, a proud native of Bago, Negros Occidental.
(C) PVL Images
Soyud acknowledged the challenge of stepping into the starting opposite role following the departure of American import Oly Okaro, who guided Akari to a finals appearance in last year’s Invitational Conference.
“Siyempre malaking challenge sa akin,” admitted Soyud. “Yun nga laging mine-mention ni coach na malaking nawala sa amin nung Reinforced si Oly.”
However, the unwavering trust of her teammates and the guidance of Japanese head coach Taka Minowa gave Soyud the confidence to embrace her new role and contribute significantly.
“Kailangan ko lang talaga maging consistent and kailangan kong tumulong sa kung hindi man ako makapalo, siyempre sa blockings, sa depensa. ‘Yun lang din yung pinanghahawakan ko — yung tiwala ni coach Taka and yung mga info na binibigay sa akin ng coaches,” she added.
“Happy din ako sa opportunity na binibigay ni coach Taka sa akin and thankful ako na nagagampanan ko yung role ko sa team.”
Soyud also credited Minowa’s intense training regimen, which she said pushed her to improve and brought out the best in the entire team.
“Tulad ng sinabi ko kanina, pinaghugutan lang namin yung isa’t isa and yun yung sinabi ni Ivy na sa loob pag naghuhuddle kami ang sinasabi namin, atin ‘to, atin ‘to,” Soyud shared.
“Ipapanalo natin ‘to para hindi na tayo mahirapan kasi pinaghirapan natin ‘to sa training. Sobrang grabe yung training namin, yon nagbuga naman today.”
