Akari once again showcased its championship resolve, grinding out a pulsating 19-25, 25-20, 16-25, 25-20, 15-12 victory over a gutsy but still-maturing Galeries Tower side to punch the second ticket to the semifinals of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig late Thursday night.
With backs against the wall, the Chargers leaned on experience, composure and sheer fighting heart to weather another five-set storm against the Highrisers, who refused to go down without a fight. Galeries Tower, a team brimming with raw talent and unrelenting energy, came agonizingly close to flipping the script but fell short in the pressure-packed moments where battle-tested teams thrive.
In the decisive Set 5, Akari pounced on early errors from Galeries Tower, racing to a 6-3 lead. A long, grinding rally ended with a statement kill from the ever-reliable Grethcel Soltones, pushing the Chargers ahead at 9-4.
Sensing the moment, the Highrisers rallied behind the dynamic Jewel Encarnacion, who almost single-handedly erased the deficit with a dazzling 5-0 run. Her crafty shot-making, combined with a Camille Victoria double-contact error, pulled Galeries Tower even at 9, fueling hopes of an upset.
But Akari had been in these high-stakes moments before, including their come-from-behind 21-25, 25-19, 20-25, 25-16, 15-12 escape in the opener of their best-of-three quarterfinal series last weekend, and that experience made all the difference.
Soltones, embodying the Chargers’ never-say-die mentality, drilled back-to-back hits to regain control. Even as Galeries Tower forced a deadlock on Ysa Jimenez hit and a Soltones attack error, the Highrisers faltered at the worst possible time.
In a moment that underscored their rawness, one of Galeries Tower’s more seasoned players, Andrea Marzan, misfired on an overpass, handing Akari the lead they would never relinquish.
Soltones capitalized with another off-the-block kill, giving the Chargers a crucial two-point cushion.
Encarnacion, who had carried the Highrisers’ offense in the clutch, cracked under the weight of the moment, sending an attack wide after a grueling exchange, putting Akari at match point. And fittingly, Faith Nisperos delivered the final dagger, an off-the-block blast that sealed the emotional two-hour, 16-minute victory.
The Chargers, who finished runner-up to the Creamline Cool Smashers in last year's Reinforced Conference, erupted in celebration, their collective grit and experience carrying them into the semis alongside the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, who also needed five sets to frustrate the PLDT High Speed Hitters.
“Galeries Tower didn’t make it easy. Every point was a struggle, but we found a way,” said a jubilant Eli Soyud in Filipino, who anchored Akari’s relentless attack with 20 points, including 18 kills, to gain the Best Player of the Game award.
“I’m proud of my teammates. No one gave up. Everyone adjusted, contributed, and fought until the very end,” she added.
Nisperos delivered one of her most prolific performances, tallying 15 points along with 13 excellent digs, providing both offensive firepower and defensive stability for the Chargers.
Soltones also stepped up, contributing 13 points to help Akari overcome a below-average outing from Ivy Lacsina, who managed just eight points.
Middle blocker Ced Domingo proved instrumental as well, chipping in seven points, including crucial running attacks that turned the tide in the middle sets. The Chargers also had to weather the early loss of Fifi Sharma, who suffered an ankle injury after accidentally stepping on Michelle Cobb’s foot early in the match.
On the other side, Jewel Encarnacion delivered a career-best, game-high 21 points in a valiant effort for Galeries Tower, while France Ronquillo added 16 markers. Middle blocker Roselle Baliton and Ysa Jimenez also made significant contributions with 14 and 10 points, respectively.
Despite their stellar individual performances, the Highrisers once again fell victim to late-game jitters. The ghosts of past stretch-run meltdowns resurfaced, denying them what could have been another stunning upset after their quarterfinal shocker against the third-seeded Cignal HD Spikers.
Galleries Tower overcame multiple service faults in the opening frame, capitalizing on Akari’s errors and miscues throughout the set. Despite conceding four kill blocks, the Highrisers cruised to a six-point victory as the Chargers’ 14 costly errors – eight more than their younger opponents – proved to be the decisive factor.
Akari regained composure in the next set, but a determined Galeries Tower matched them shot-for-shot and dig-for-dig. The Chargers finally broke a 19-deadlock count at 20, stringing together a crucial run to seize control on a scorching 5-0 windup.
Soltones ignited the decisive surge with a kill and an off-the-block hit following a Domingo block on Encarnacion. A surprise kill block by Michelle Cobb on Ysa Jimenez extended Akari’s fiery streak, before Domingo sealed the set with a powerful slide attack, leveling the match at one set apiece.
Galeries Tower, however, responded with a dominant Set 3 victory, breaking away from a slim 8-7 edge behind a flurry of attacks led by the red-hot Encarnacion.
But just like in their Game One showdown, the Chargers roared back. This time, however, they had to dig deep and hold their ground as the Highrisers mounted a late surge, closing the gap to 20-22 before Akari ultimately shut the door, setting the stage for another five-set finish.
Galeries Tower may have fallen short, but their fearless performance signaled that they are a team on the rise. Though the Highrisers’ inexperience showed in the closing moments, their hunger and potential were undeniable – a sign that this won’t be the last time they challenge the league’s best.
For the Chargers, this was another testament to their resilience, proving once more that when the stakes are high, their fighting heart beats the strongest.
