Photo: PVL
Akari kept its quarterfinal hopes alive after overpowering Nxled in straight sets, 25-13, 25-17, 25-22, in the PVL Reinforced Conference on Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Chargers entered the match aiming to bounce back from their recent loss to Cignal, and they wasted no time showing a renewed sense of purpose. They opened the match with sharp execution from the service line, quick transitions, and disciplined floor coverage that immediately put the Chameleons on the defensive.
Akari’s balanced attack was one of the biggest differences in the match. Annie Mitchem led all scorers with 20 points, while Grethcel Soltones followed with 12. Contributions from Ced Domingo, Eli Soyud, and Camille Victoria gave the Chargers enough firepower to stay comfortably ahead throughout the first two sets.
Behind the scenes, setter Mars Alba orchestrated the offense with steady hands, allowing Akari to spread its scoring options and maintain a consistent rhythm. Her ability to keep the ball moving opened up clean looks for the hitters and helped keep Nxled guessing.
While Akari controlled most of the match, the Chameleons had a few bright moments. Their strongest push came in the third set, sparked by timely plays from Chiara Permentilla and a late service ace that cut the deficit to 18-20. However, the rally fizzled as the Chargers responded quickly and closed out the sweep with composed plays in the final stretch.
The victory pushed Akari to a 4-3 record and 12 points, placing them slightly ahead of Cignal in the tight battle for the middle positions in the standings. With seven teams still fighting for the remaining five quarterfinal spots, every result now carries extra weight.
As the preliminaries wind down, the playoff race continues to intensify. ZUS Coffee, PLDT, and Farm Fresh have already secured their places in the knockout round, leaving the rest of the field scrambling for position. Creamline remains in a strong spot, while teams like Akari, Cignal, Capital1, Petro Gazz, Chery Tiggo, and Choco Mucho are separated by the slimmest margins.
Akari now prepares for a crucial showdown against Choco Mucho. A victory could solidify their position in the top five and bring them closer to a much-needed quarterfinal berth.
