Akari didn’t need any magical finishes to defeat ZUS Coffee this time, as a strong start paved the way for a decisive 25-18, 25-15, 25-23 victory, matching Cignal’s hot streak in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Philsports Arena on Thursday night.
Oly Okaro, who had previously scored 38 and 31 points in reverse sweeps against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans and the Petro Gazz Angels, respectively, slowed down with a 14-point game, including 13 on attacks.
Coach Taka Minowa, however, emphasized the contributions of the local players to build their confidence and momentum as they prepare to face the HD Spikers for the solo Pool B lead on Tuesday.
Ivy Lacsina fired 13 points, Grethcel Soltones came away with 12 markers and Ced Domingo and Camille Victoria added eight and four points, respectively, as they dominated their counterparts just as Okaro outshone Asaka Tamaru, leading to Akari’s fourth straight victory.
After securing a commanding seven-point win in the opening set, the Chargers needed only 25 minutes to wrap up the second set, during which they unleashed 19 attack points, doubling the Thunderbelles’ output.
The Thunderbelles, however, came into the third set as a more organized unit, keeping the score close from start to finish behind the efforts of Tamaru and Ypril Tapia, as well as benefiting from the Chargers’ mishits and miscues.
But Akari broke the 19-all deadlock with consecutive hits from Lacsina and Okaro, followed by an ace from Domingo. Despite a late push from Tapia that brought the Thunderbelles within 23-24, Okaro delivered a powerful backrow attack, sealing the one-hour, 23-minute contest.
Lacsina scored 11 attack points and two blocks and finished with nine excellent receptions, but had to shake off the effects of a strong collision with Domingo late in the third set while trying to keep the ball in play after a ZUS Coffee attack.
“Okay lang naman, nabingi lang ng konti,” said Lacsina in jest, indicating she was fine despite the collision.
Tamaru led ZUS Coffee with eight points while Gayle Pascual and Shar Ancheta matched five-point outputs and Tapia finished with four points for the Thunderbelles, who fell to 0-4.
Akari made 45 attack points against ZUS Coffee’s 28, dominated the net with eight blocks, five more than the Thunderbelles and made four aces against their rivals’ two, practically offsetting their 23 unforced errors.
