Akari survived a short-handed F2 Logistics, winning 21-25, 25-20, 27-25, 19-25, 15-8, in five sets for a successful debut in the Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference at the SM Smart Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday.
Debutant Fifi Sharma made significant contributions for the Chargers in the final set, delivering crucial blows that ended the Cargo Movers’ challenge.
F2 Logistics was without key players Kianna Dy (knee injury) and Dawn Macandili-Catindig (shoulder injury) in the contest.
“They have a history in UAAP. They are really good players there, and when they come here to play in the pro league, it’s hard, but they started to show up really well everywhere,” said Akari head coach Jorge Souze de Brito when asked about new recruits Sharma and Justine Jazareno.
Trailing by just one point in the final frame, Trisha Genesis ignited a decisive 7-1 surge for Akari, putting them ahead 13-6. Aby Marano and Mars Alba then scored two consecutive points to narrow the lead to just five.
Sharma took control from that point, blocking Myla Pablo emphatically at the net and delivering a booming ace that sealed the hard-fought victory for the Chargers.
“They are not only good players; they’re brave and train at 100 percent all the time, so they stay focused and always aim to improve. It’s a challenge for the coaches to provide something good for them because they always request more,” added the Brazilian coach.
Dindin Santiago-Manabat led Akari’s balanced offensive performance with 19 points, while Nisperos registered 18 markers in the victory.
Ezra Madrigal added 14 points, including seven kill blocks, while Trisha Genesis contributed 13 points, 15 excellent sets, and nine excellent receptions.
Rookies Sharma and Jazareno also played vital roles in their debuts, with Sharma scoring 13 points, including five blocks, and Jazareno collecting 12 excellent receptions.
Akari will return next Thursday to face PLDT at 5:00 p.m. at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
On the other hand, Ivy Lacsina’s 26-point career-high effort went in vain. She recorded 22 points, three blocks, and an ace for the Cargo Movers.
Pablo added 12 points in the loss along with 16 excellent digs, while Aby Marano contributed eight markers.
F2 Logistics, who expects to have Catindig back in the next match, will face Nxled on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
