Ivy Lacsina unleashed a commanding 28-point performance to power seventh-ranked Akari past a gritty Galeries Tower squad in five grueling sets, 21-25, 25-19, 20-25, 25-16, 15-11, as the Chargers took Game 1 of the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals at the Philsports Arena on Saturday night.
Lacsina matched her career-best performance with a dominant 28-point explosion, converting 22 of 51 attempts from the attack line while showcasing her defensive prowess with six of Akari’s eight kill blocks, along with 12 excellent receptions to help the Chargers claw out of a 1-2 deficit and boost their semifinals bid.
She also notched the same number of points back on April 29, 2024 when she was still with Nxled when they faced Petro Gazz.
(C) PVL Images
“Team effort talaga siya. Kasi kanina parang sinasabihan ako ng teammates ko na paluin mo lang, paluin mo lang ‘wag kang matakot. Syempre dun din po nabu-boost ako,” said the former National University standout.
“Siguro nung dumating kami nung fourth set tapos lamang kami, kasi syempre tinrabaho na namin eh hanggang dun. So minindset ko lang na sa’min ‘to,” she added.
With Galeries threatening to steal the win, Fifi Sharma and Lacsina delivered back-to-back attacks before Fhen Emnas miscalculated a set, causing France Ronquillo to fumble her attack. What was once a slim 11-9 lead quickly turned into a commanding 14-10 advantage for the Chargers.
Grethcel Soltones committed a service error, giving the Highrisers a much-needed breathing room, but Lacsina immediately went for the jugular, hammering down the game-winning attack that put an end to the two-hour, seven-minute encounter.
Backing up Lacsina was Eli Soyud, who tallied 19 points, 18 of which came from attacks, while Soltones had an stellar all-around game of 10 points, 14 excellent receptions, and 17 excellent digs for Akari.
Michelle Cobb took charge of steering the offense with 21 excellent sets to go along with four points, while Justine Jazareno patrolled the floor and came up with 22 excellent digs.
The Chargers will try to go for the jugular when they face Galeries in Game 2 of the best-of-three quarterfinals series on Thursday, 6:30 p.m. at the same venue.
(C) PVL Images
On the other hand, the Highrisers, who were coming off a stunning five-set victory over Cignal in the qualifying round, could not replicate their magic as they are now a loss away from bidding their semifinal dreams goodbye.
Rookie Jewel Encarnacion tallied a team-high 18 points to go along with 18 excellent receptions and 10 excellent digs, while Ronquillo added 17 points and 13 excellent receptions in the five-set defeat.
Ysa Jimenez finished with 13 points on eight attacks, three aces, and two blocks, while Roselle Baliton chipped in 11 points in a losing effort. Alyssa Eroa contributed 23 excellent digs.
