The Akari Chargers pulled off another dramatic escape in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference, edging out the Galeries Tower Highrisers in a five-set battle, 23-25, 25-15, 25-16, 22-25, 18-16, to book the first quarterfinal slot at the Philsports Arena on Saturday.
Despite previous victories that required reverse sweeps against more favored rivals, Akari faced an unexpectedly tough challenge from the winless Highrisers. Staring down defeat at 12-14 in the final set, the Chargers relied on the ever-reliable Grethcel Soltones to keep their hopes alive.
After forcing two standoffs, Oly Okaro took control, delivering the crucial points to secure the win and push Akari to a 6-0 record and into the knockout quarters phase.
Unlike their come-from-behind victories against the Petro Gazz Angels and the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, this time the Chargers had to dig deep against a surprisingly resilient Highrisers squad.
Galeries Tower seemed poised to claim their first win of the conference, especially after Ivy Jimenez’s powerful combination play put them ahead 13-11 in the deciding set. Although Ivy Lacsina answered with an off-the-block hit, her subsequent service error gave the Highrisers the match point.
However, Soltones stepped up with Okaro at the back row, hammering consecutive kills to extend the match. Even after Galeries Tower reached match point again through a successful challenge, the Chargers held firm.
Soltones tied it once more with a through-the-block hit and followed it with a sharp line shot to counter Cheuwulim Sutadta’s attack.
Akari then turned the tide, winning a crucial challenge on an Okaro block touch call.
Okaro, the most efficient hitter among the reinforcements, delivered a decisive cross-court attack that caught the Highrisers off guard, sealing the two-hour, 26-minute victory.
“Hiningi ko na kasi, sabi ko nga kay Muy (Cal), ‘Muy bigay mo na sa’kin pero ‘wag mo bilisan para makita ko ‘yung blockers.’ Sabi ko ibigay niya sa’kin ‘yung bola, cover ko ‘yun, tapos ayun. Tiwala kami sa bawat isa so I guess, ‘di na rin natakot ‘yung bawat isa pumalo or umatake kasi nasa likod ko naman sila,” said Soltones.
Okaro starred with an impressive 32-point performance, including four blocks, while Lacsina contributed 20 points.
Soltones, who delivered 13 points, including four clutch hits, also tallied 14 excellent receptions and 11 digs in a superb all-around performance.
Camille Victoria and Ezra Madrigal chipped in six points each for the Chargers, who finished seventh in the recent All-Filipino Conference.
On the other side, the Highrisers faced another heartbreaking loss despite being so close to a dream victory.
Sutadta led Galeries Tower with 20 points, while Roselle Baliton and France Ronquillo added 12 points apiece. Andrea Marzan, Ysa Jimenez, and Graze Bombita combined for 21 points in the hard-fought match.
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