ANTIPOLO – Eli Soyud delivered a career-high performance as Akari came alive late in the fifth set to stun Choco Mucho in five sets, 20-25, 25-19, 25-23, 23-25, 16-14 for a winning start in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, Saturday at the Ynares Center here.
Soyud dropped a season-high 34 points — tied with Petro Gazz’s Brooke Van Sickle and PLDT’s Savannah Davison — on 27 attacks and seven kill blocks to power the Chargers.
Akari even erased an 11-14 deficit in the decider to turn back the Sisi Rondina-led Flying Titans and secure a crucial 1-0 start in the semis in front of a 5,915 fans in the arena.
“Yung tiwala. Tiwala na binigay sa’kin ni coach Taka [Minowa], ng coaches, and ng teammates ko,” said Soyud, who kept Akari in the game following an error-plagued performance in the opener.
“Parang siyempre ‘yun na ‘yung time ko. Nabigyan ako ng playing time so ginrab ko na and syempre gusto ko rin na hindi ‘yun masayang. Sa’kin na din ‘yun eh, binigyan ako ng playing time so dapat i-grab ko ‘yung opportunity,” she added.
(C) PVL Images
After failing to close out the game in four sets despite a brilliant performance from Soyud, the Chargers were on the brink of losing the game after Rondina scored one off a floating ball to push Choco Mucho to a comfortable 14-11 advantage.
However, things started to fall apart for the Flying Titans after service specialist Regine Arocho botched an attempt from the service line in the following play.
Faith Nisperos saved another match point with a cross-court hit, while Michelle Cobb went up for an emphatic block on Rondina to tie the count at 14-all.
Rondina tried to stop the bleeding for Choco Mucho, but her attack sailed out. That then set the stage for Nisperos to drill the game-winning cross-court attack to complete the Chargers’ thrilling come-from-behind win after two hours and 15 minutes of action.
“We had a crucial point. The crowd was getting louder, but the players kept communicating and stayed composed. We made sure of what we are going to do and we made it,” said Akari head coach Taka Minowa.
Ced Domingo had her best performance in a while, tallying 14 points on 10 attacks, three kill blocks, to go along with an ace. Nisperos registered 11 points to round out the double-digit performers for the Chargers.
Ivy Lacsina was limited to just eight points on top of nine excellent receptions, while Grethcel Soltones and Camille Victoria chimed in five markers apiece.
Cobb pulled the strings on offense with 24 excellent sets to go along with two points and 11 excellent receptions for a well-rounded performance, while Justine Jazareno collected 25 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions.
Akari, despite missing Fifi Sharma due to an ankle injury, flexed its might above the net, tallying a whopping 16 blocks to stifle the Flying Titans’ attackers.
The Chargers hope to sustain their momentum when they take on defending champion Creamline on Tuesday, 4:00 PM at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
(C) PVL Images
On the other hand, Choco Mucho’s comeback from a 1-2 set deficit fell short, crumbling in the end game to find themselves in a 0-1 hole to start the semis.
Rondina’s 29-point performance went for naught as the Flying Titans failed to put on the finishing touches that allowed the Chargers to steal the win. She also had 13 excellent receptions in the heartbreaking loss.
Royse Tubino came up with 14 points, while Isa Molde registered 11 points and 14 excellent digs for Choco Mucho, who missed the services of veterans Dindin Santiago-Manabat and Maika Ortiz due to knee injuries.
Thang Ponce had 31 excellent receptions and 18 excellent digs to lead Choco Mucho’s floor defense.
The Flying Titans look to rebound and keep their Finals hopes alive against Petro Gazz also on Tuesday, 6:30 PM.
