Akari stayed in the running for a semifinals berth after dispatching the also-ran Capital1 in straight sets, 25-17, 25-14, 25-20, for back-to-back victories in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, Thursday at the Philsports Arena.
Dindin Santiago-Manabat played a pivotal role in the dominant victory, unloading 25 points on 20 attacks, three blocks, and two aces as the Chargers improved their record to 4-5 to maintain their grip at the seventh spot.
“Ngayon kasi yung game namin, inenjoy ko lang and syempre, makaperform kami, mailabas namin kung ano talaga yung team Akari,” said Santiago-Manabat after the victory.
“So every training, every game, ang kailangan lang talaga namin is i-enjoy and ipanalo yung mga bawat games namin,” she added.
Grethcel Soltones had an all-around effort of nine points, 14 excellent digs, and nine excellent receptions while Faith Nisperos, who finally returned to the starting unit after playing off the bench in their previous match, and Ezra Madrigal had eight points apiece for Akari.
Jaja Maraguinot, meanwhile, started and replaced team captain Michelle Cobb and finished with 13 excellent sets while Bang Pineda registered 14 excellent digs in the victory.
“Well, unang una thank you. Again, credit naman talaga sa mga bata kasi medyo yung nagkaroon ng outcome naman yung pinaghirapan namin na training,” said Chargers head coach Raffy Mosuela.
“Actually, medyo from the start, ang focus namin is going to Chery dahil yun yung medyo mabigat na kalaban namin. Yung sa Capital1 naman is, nagkaroon din naman kami ng gameplan kaya ayun, nanalo naman,” he added.
The team must sweep its remaining games to have a shot of making it to the semifinals. However, a Creamline win in one of their next three matches will boot out the Akari in the semis race.
The Chargers will look to keep their hopes alive against Chery Tiggo on April 20, 4:00 p.m. at the Santa Rosa Sports Complex.
Meanwhile, Capital1 dropped their sixth consecutive game to fall to 0-8 in the standings, good for the 11th spot.
The Solar Spikers were led by Jorelle Singh with 10 points while Ja Lana and Des Clemente had eight and six markers, respectively.
Capital1 will look to snap its losing streak versus Nxled on April 23, 4:00 p.m. at the Philsports Arena.
