SANTA ROSA – Akari remained in the running for a semifinal berth after booting out Galeries Tower, 25-19, 25-17, 25-20, in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, Saturday at the Santa Rosa Sports Complex here.
Once again without middle blocker Ced Domingo, who remained out due to right knee pain, the Chargers weathered a late surge by the Highrisers in the third frame to keep themselves in the playoffs race with a 3-5 win-loss record.
“Well ‘yung preparation namin ‘no, from losing dun sa previous game namin, so bali ‘yung ginawa namin is back to basic ng system talaga para ma-inculcate naman dun sa mga bata kung ano ‘yung gagawin inside the court,” said Akari head coach Raffy Mosuela.
The Chargers raced to a 20-12 advantage in the third set with Faith Nisperos, who came off the bench and only subbed in late in the last set, scoring three consecutive points to cap the 8-0 blast.
Roma Joy Doromal stopped the bleeding for Galeries after a drop before a couple of attack and service errors from their side, laced with a Fifi Sharma quick, pushed Akari to a 24-16 advantage.
The Highrisers put up one last fight, with Doromal scoring two points in a four-to-zero run to save four match points but it was not enough as Eli Soyud sealed things off with an off-the-block attack for the Chargers.
Dindin Santiago-Manabat topped the scoring column for Akari with 16 points on 13 attacks, two blocks, and one ace, while Grethcel Soltones had an all-around effort of 12 points, 10 excellent digs, and five excellent receptions.
Fifi Sharma recorded 10 points, including four kill blocks, while Ezra Madrigal, who filled in for Domingo, tallied nine points. Nisperos had four points in the one-hour, 30-minute game.
Team captain Michelle Cobb tossed 18 excellent sets to lead the offense while Bang Pineda had 16 excellent digs.
Akari takes on the also-ran Capital1 on Thursday, 4:00 p.m. at the Philsports Arena.
On the other hand, Galeries dropped to 2-6 in the standings.
France Ronquillo paced the Highrisers with 11 points while Julia Ipac had eight points in the loss.
Galeries will face off against Farm Fresh on Saturday, 2:00 p.m. at the same venue.
