AKARI summoned just enough poise and power to outlast Choco Mucho in a gripping five-set Saturday night thriller, 25-19, 22-25, 25-21, 19-25, 16-14, and keep its semifinal bid alive in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series at the Philsports Arena.
Eli Soyud once again spearheaded the Chargers attack with 17 points, including a match-best three blocks, while Ivy Lacsina also finished with 17 points, that went along with 14 receptions and 11 digs.
It was a determined bounce-back performance for Akari after absorbing a stinging five-set defeat to erstwhile winless Galeries Tower last Tuesday.
“Nag-set ako ng example sa teammates ko para from there makita nila na gustong-gusto talagang naming manalo,” said Soyud, whose leadership and timely production proved vital in a match that demanded every ounce of the Chargers’ fighting spirit.
Akari tied its victims at 3-3, keeping with reach of PLDT and Farm Fresh, which are also very much in the Final Four conversation with identical 3-2 records.
Fifi Sharma contributed eight points, Ced Domingo added seven, while Grethcel Soltones and Faith Nisperos chipped in six apiece for the Chargers.
Akari playmaker Mars Alba, who tossed in 19 excellent sets, produced the much-talked about match-clinching block on Sisi Rondina-Rosales, the team’s 13th in the two-hour, 33-minute marathon. Libero Justine Jazareno collected 23 digs for the Chargers.
Next up for Akari is unbeaten Nxled at 1 p.m. on Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
