Photo: Premier Volleyball League
The Akari Chargers finally broke through with a hard-earned win against the Zus Coffee Thunderbelles but crashed back to earth the next day with a tough loss to the Chery Tiggo Crossovers during their PVL On Tour weekend stint at the Ynares Center in Montalban.
On Saturday, Akari avoided a third straight defeat and outlasted the Thunderbelles in five grueling sets, 26-24, 25-21, 17-25, 17-25, 17-15.
Grethcel Soltones paced the Chargers with 23 points and 11 digs. Eli Soyud followed closely with 19 points, while Ced Domingo added 12 points.
Libero Dani Ravena anchored the Chargers’ floor defense, finishing with 22 excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions in the victory.
The Chargers returned to action on Sunday but failed to sustain their momentum, dropping a five-set battle to the Crossovers, 26-24, 19-25, 16-25, 25-23, 10-15.
Ivy Lacsina led the way with 18 points built on 13 attacks, four blocks, and one aces along with 18 excellent receptions, while Soyud remained consistent with 17 points and 11 excellent digs.
Dani Ravena again played a crucial role on defense, collecting 23 excellent digs, while Kamille Cal fanned out 30 excellent sets in the losing effort.
Still, Akari outscored Chery Tiggo in attack points (59–57), but costly errors told the story. The Chargers gave away 41 points through unforced miscues.
The Chargers will look to get back on the winning track against the Capital1 Solar Spikers on July 15, Tuesday at the Playtime FilOil Centre at 6:30pm.
