The Akari Chargers stunned the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers in five thrilling set, 21-25, 25-20, 27-25, 19-25, 15-8, in their debut game in the season-ending Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Tuesday.
It was a total team effort for Akari as five Chargers barged into double digits in scoring.
Dindin Manabat led the way for the girls in Magenta and Black with 19 points, followed by Faith Nisperos’ 18. Ezra Madrigal added points, while Trisha Genesis and the debuting Fifi Sharma chipped in 13 markers apiece.
Genesis also had a remarkable outing on the defensive end with 15 excellent digs, while Bang Pineda dug 11.
The opening set was a game of runs with both teams trading rallies one after the other. F2 went on a 5-0 blast to build a 15-13 lead midway through. Akari then fought back to regain a two-point lead, but the Cargo Movers countered with a 5-1 run in the last stretch of the first to take grab the set.
In the second frame, the Chargers gathered their bearings and gave the Cargo Movers a doze of their own medicine, ending the set with a run of their own to level the match.
Riding on momentum, Akari pulled off a nail-biting third set win as it looked to finish off F2 in the next set. However, the Cargo Movers had other ideas in mind in the fourth set. Coach Regine Diego’s squad took advantage of the Chargers’ nine errors to extend the match to a decider.
In the fifth set, the Chargers pulled themselves together and established a comfortable 13-6 cushion before eventually going for the final blow to secure the victory.
F2’s Ivy Lacsina thrived in her new position at the opposite as she powered her team with 26 points, while Myla Pablo tallied eight markers.
Akari’s next assignment will be the PLDT High Speed Hitters at the FiliOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan, on October 19, 5PM.
