ELI Soyud unloaded 30 points capped by a backrow kill that carried Akari past Farm Fresh, 25-22, 25-27, 22-25, 25-23, 15-12, for its second consective win in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium yesterday.
With the match hanging in the balance, Soyud’s decisive hit helped the Chargers survive a tense fifth-set battle marked by multiple deadlocks and lead changes, as they capitalized on the Foxies late miscues to escape with a hard-earned two-hour, 31-minute victory.
Akari continued its rise from a 0-2 start, putting the Chargers back in the thick of the Final Four race in the first of threeseries under the league’s revamped All-Filipino Conference format.
Soyud, who hammered 27 kills, said Akari was determined to make up for its early setbacks and show its true potential.
“Kailangan lang naming bumawi sa mga nakaraang games na natalo kami. Alam ko naman na hindi pa talaga naipapakita ng team ang buong potential namin,” said Soyud.
The Chargers’ renewed determination, she added, has been instrumental in turning their fortunes around after a shaky start.
“Ang nag-click sa amin ay ’yung willingness ng bawat isa na manalo at bumawi sa mga unang talo namin,” Soyud said.
Ivy Lacsina put up a solid 21-point, 17-reception performance, while Fifi Sharma added 11 points, including three blocks, the last of which denied Royse Tubino and put Akari at match point.
Up next for Akari is Galeries Tower on Nov. 3 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
