Grethcel Soltones made a resounding return, while Ivy Lacsina delivered another commanding performance as Akari showcased its resilience and composure in a dramatic 25-11, 23-25, 18-25, 25-15, 15-9 victory over Farm Fresh, securing a coveted spot in the quarterfinals of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena on Tuesday.
Locked in an intense battle filled with momentum swings, clutch plays and defensive strategies, the Chargers refused to back down despite falling behind 1-2 in sets. Displaying unyielding grit, they stormed back with a dominant fourth set before imposing their will in the decider, proving their mettle under pressure.
Soltones, sidelined for most of the preliminaries due to a hand strain, returned with a vengeance, igniting Akari’s crucial push in the last two frames. With the match hanging in the balance, she unloaded consecutive points, helping the Chargers seize a commanding 13-9 advantage. Her three straight hits, ignited by a kill block off Caitlin Viray and capped by a thunderous kill, proved pivotal in closing out the match in two hours and 13 minutes.
“We trusted coach Taka (Minowa)’s system and our team’s culture. We’ve been through a lot, and I really poured all my emotions into this game. This win is a huge confidence boost for us,” said Lacsina in Filipino, who secured Best Player of the Game honors with 22 points.
Eli Soyud came through with 14 points, while Soltones posted 11 markers in just a two-and-a-half set stint, showcasing her impact despite limited action. Akari’s offensive depth was further highlighted by Camille Victoria’s 10-point contribution, while Faith Nisperos chipped in eight markers through the first three sets.
Ced Domingo and setter Michelle Cobb added five points each, with Ezra Madrigal contributing four, underscoring the Chargers' well-balanced scoring attack.
On the other side, Trisha Tubu led all scorers with 23 points, outdueling Lacsina, while Aly Bertolano added 13 markers and Rizza Cruz finished with seven. However, Farm Fresh struggled to match Akari’s firepower, as the Chargers dominated in attacks, 59-49.
Akari also asserted its defensive presence at the net, racking up 12 blocks, 10 more than the Foxies, with Soltones, who last played for Akari last Dec. 10, and Victoria accounting for three each. The Chargers further capitalized on Farm Fresh’s shaky service reception, tallying nine aces while surrendering just four.
Though Akari committed 36 errors, 10 more than Farm Fresh, its aggressive offense more than compensated, proving decisive in their come-from-behind victory.
Lacsina set the tone early, scoring a flawless five-of-five on attacks to spearhead Akari’s explosive opening-set romp. Though the Foxies fought back to claim the next two frames, the Chargers regrouped, leaned on their depth and found their rhythm just in time.
Soltones, Soyud, Nisperos, Madrigal, Victoria and Domingo all stepped up, ensuring that Farm Fresh’s resistance was short-lived.
With their backs against the wall, Akari turned to Soltones in the fourth set, and the veteran delivered, hammering crucial kills to establish an 11-7 lead. The Chargers maintained control despite Farm Fresh’s persistent fightbacks, sealing the frame with clutch hits from Soltones, Victoria and Soyud.
Farm Fresh, which swept Akari in the prelims, attempted a late surge in the fourth frame, with Louie Romero’s well-placed drop ball trimming Akari’s lead to 14-16. However, the Chargers held their ground, with Domingo’s quick attack keeping them ahead, 22-19.
Soyud’s down-the-line winner and a costly Farm Fresh error pushed Akari to set point, before Soltones delivered the final blow to cap a gutsy comeback victory.
With the win, Akari joins Creamline, Petro Gazz, Choco Mucho and Galeries Tower in the quarterfinals, with PLDT and ZUS Coffee still battling for the final slot at presstime. The last two berths will be determined through the play-in tournament among the six losers in the qualifying round
Lacsina exploded early, delivering a flawless five-of-five on attacks to fuel an explosive 11-point surge in the first set, finishing with a dominant 14-point performance.
Effortlessly firing kills past a smaller blocker in Louie Romero, Lacsina made it look easy as the Chargers took control. A clever top-spin hit over two defenders put Akari firmly ahead at 24-10.
A service fault from Camile Victoria briefly delayed the inevitable, but Madrigal sealed the set for Akari with an off-the-block hit.
Stung by the lopsided opening frame, the Foxies came out aggressive in the second set, racing to a quick 4-0 lead. However, Akari swiftly regrouped, stringing together four consecutive points, capped by an Soyud drop ball to level the score at 5.
The Chargers then inched ahead, 9-7, after a Farm Fresh attack error, but the Foxies countered just as quickly, seizing a 13-10 advantage before conceding three straight points.
What followed was a thrilling back-and-forth battle. Cobb’s 1-2 play pushed Akari ahead at 14-13, but Soyud misfired on a serve, allowing Farm Fresh to pull even again. The Chargers looked poised to take a commanding two-set lead after pulling ahead 19-17, courtesy of a Tubu attack error.
But just when it seemed Akari had the upper hand, the Foxies unleashed a crucial four-point run, with Tubu delivering back-to-back kills to flip the deficit into a two-point advantage.
Farm Fresh capitalized on Akari’s costly errors, including two missed serves, and closed out the set behind a Cruz quick attack and a powerful Tubu back-row hit, tying the match at one set apiece.
After her dominant 11-point opener, Lacsina cooled down in the second set, managing just three points as she struggled to find her earlier rhythm.
Errors also proved costly for Akari, as it handed Farm Fresh 12 free points while gaining only half as many off their opponents’ miscues, ultimately nullifying the impact of the Chargers’ four kill blocks.
Riding the momentum of their crucial Set 2 victory, the Foxies came out firing in the pivotal third frame, surging to a commanding 12-4 lead with Tubu sustaining her stellar play, energizing her teammates in the process.
The Chargers, however, fought back, winning eight of the next nine points to cut the deficit to 12-13. But just as they gained momentum, unforced errors set them back – Victoria served into the net and Lacsina misfired on an attack.
Despite their miscues, Akari stayed within striking distance as the Foxies committed errors of their own, with Tubu and Bertolano struggling on offense.
Tubu quickly redeemed herself, scoring back-to-back points to extend Farm Fresh’s lead to 19-16. After Soyud answered with a kill, the Foxies all but secured the set with a dominant four-point run.
Rachel Ann Daquis delivered an off-the-block hit, Cruz executed a well-placed drop ball, Soyud was denied at the net, and another Soyud attack sailed wide.
