The Akari Chargers bounced back from an opening-set loss to pummel the erstwhile Cignal HD Spikers in four sets, 15-25, 25-17, 25-19, 25-22, in the PVL 2024 Reinforced Conference at the PhilSports Arena on Tuesday.
Akari went undefeated in five games to secure the top spot in Pool B.
Oly Okaro led the Chargers with 24 points, consisting of 22 attacks, one block, and one ace. Ivy Lacsina added 14 points, while Celine Domingo contributed 10 points including 4 blocks.
Playmaker Kamille Cal was in attack mode as she scored eight points and fanned out 14 excellent sets.
The Chargers survived a scare late in the fourth set, allowing the HD Spikers to cut a six-point lead down to two, 24-22. However, Okaro dashed the latter’s hope of a comeback as she drilled in a down-the-line hit to seal the win.
Akari rode the momentum from winning the second and third set as they banked on their heavy serves and impenetrable net defense to seize control of the game with a 2-1 lead. As a team, the Chargers converted 12 block points and four service aces.
Akari had a slow start to the match, trailing by as much as 10 points in the opening set, 7-17. Eventually, MJ Perez then nailed the dagger from the back row to claim the first.
Perez spearheaded the HD Spikers’ attack with 24 points, while Riri Meneses and Ces Molina chipped in nine and eight markers, respectively.
The next round of eliminations will begin on Saturday, August 10, with the Chargers expected to face the 4th, 5th, and 6th seeds in Pool A in another round-robin format.
