Prisilla Rivera shattered the league’s scoring mark as Akari completed its upset of Choco Mucho in five sets, 27-29, 25-21, 25-19, 21-25, 15-12 in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference, Thursday night at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
The 37-year-old Dominican unloaded 44 big points on 39 attacks, four aces, and a block to break American import Kia Bright’s 41-point outing for BanKo in a five-set semifinals loss to PayMaya in the PVL Season 2 Reinforced Conference last July 6, 2018.
Rivera also helped the Chargers stay alive in the playoffs race as they improved their win-loss standing to 2-4.
“I’m very proud of her. It’s not because of what I think. I think Akari brought her to shine here and make our league stronger so congrats to her, and congrats to her teammates that helped her. She’s amazing, she’s a three-time Olympian. Every training she comes to practice to prove herself,” said Akari head coach Jorge Souza de Brito.
“I remember I told you guys in the past that every match that we’re gonna play, we’re gonna grow and improve because one thing that we don’t have unlike the others is time playing (together). Every match is a challenge for us but I know, step by step we will improve. I’m really happy for all these guys, all of them,” he added.
With the Flying Titans looking to turn things around, Rivera scored one in to give the Chargers a slim 12-10 advantage in the final set. Deanna Wong converted a 1-2 play but the Akari import scored on back-to-back hits to push her side at match point, 14-11.
Rivera even challenged the 14th point and got a crucial block touch on Kat Tolentino.
Odina Aliyeva saved a point for Choco Mucho but Rivera made sure to finish what she started and hammered a powerful down-the-line hit to seal the hard-fought win which lasted for two hours and 55 minutes and hand the Flying Titans their second consecutive loss.
Janine Marciano added 18 points on 15 attacks and three blocks while Erika Raagas chipped in 12 markers for the Chargers.
Akari lost an extended opening set before winning the next two to put up a 2-1 cushion over the Rebisco-backed squad. The Flying Titans, though, did not go down without a fight and turned back the Chargers in the fourth frame to send the game to a decider.
Aliyeva finished with 26 points, 24 excellent receptions, and 13 excellent digs for a Choco Mucho side that slid to 2-3 while Tolentino was held to just eight points to go along with 15 digs.
Denden Lazaro-Revilla missed the game due to a foot injury.
Akari looks to sustain its momentum against PLDT on Thursday, 5:30 PM while Choco Mucho will face United Auctioneers Inc-Army on Tuesday at 2:30 PM.
