Akari hurdled the first of three obstacles leading to a possible crack at the last semifinal berth, dominating ousted Galeries Tower, 25-14, 25-21, 25-19, in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Thursday.
The Chargers did just good enough to bring down the Highrisers and keep their slim hopes alive with a 5-4 (win-loss) card, reserving their energy and strength for a pair of challenging matches against two of the league’s toughest squads.
Lined up against the beleaguered Petro Gazz Angels on Saturday and the unbeaten defending champion Creamline Cool Smashers on Nov. 30, Akari coach Jorde Souza de Brito expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, commending their rigorous training and determination while emphasizing the need to be well-prepared both physically and mentally as they set out against their next formidable opponents.
“First of all, I’m happy for the guys because we did the job that we had to do,” said de Brito, whose wards moved past the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers (4-5) to grab the seventh spot. “They are training hard and all the skills are there and the spirit is there inside, too.”
Looking ahead, de Brito outlined a strategic approach, indicating that preparations for their last two matches in the semis began last week. He also acknowledged the difficulty of the tasks but remained confident of his wards’ ability to face adversity collectively.
“Step by step, we’ll prepare for the next one starting today. We’ve been studying them already since last week,” he said. “Of course, it will be hard but their mindset is always to fight together. These guys know how we will proceed during the week.”
The Chargers barely beat the Highrisers in spikes, 39-36, but produced 10 blocks against their rivals’ six and doubled the latter’s four aces in the one-hour, 23-minute contest.
But Akari played almost steady all throughout, yielding just eight unforced errors while scoring 18 points from the Highrisers’ miscues.
Faith Nisperos and Fifi Sharma scored 12 points apiece while Dindin Manabat and Erika Raagas matched nine-point outputs for the Chargers.
Ysabel Jimenez and Andrea Marzan finished with nine markers each while Grazielle Bombita added nine points and Rapril Aguilar ended up with six markers for the Highrisers, who fell to 0-8 in a tie with the Gerflor Defenders.
After a virtual stroll in the opener, the Chargers needed to toughen up late in the second frame to hold off the Highrisers who won 11 of the first 15 points in the third on their way to victory.
