Akari completed a stunning elimination round campaign with a dominant 25-19, 25-22, 25-19 victory over Farm Fresh late Tuesday, finishing the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference as the surprise topnotcher and remaining unbeaten in eight matches.
The feat is particularly impressive for a team that ended seventh in the previous All-Filipino Conference. But Akari’s unexpected rise to the top came through sheer determination, hard work, and, crucially, self-belief.
The Chargers’ journey was marked by notable victories, including thrilling reverse sweeps against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans and the two-time champions Petro Gazz Angels.
“We didn’t expect this kind of performance,” said seasoned player Grethcel Soltones after clinching the game’s top honors with a 15-point performance at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. “Our only mindset was to trust coach Taka Minowa’s system and the newbies on the team.”
Oly Okaro led the charge for Akari, scoring 18 points and receiving strong support from Soltones and Ivy Lacsina, who contributed 14 points. Middle Ced Domingop and playmaker Michelle Cobb each added four points in the one-hour, 26-minute clash.
Akari outperformed Farm Fresh in attacks (52-36), blocks (6-3), and aces (5-2). However, the Chargers had to manage 19 points off their own errors while capitalizing on 12 points from their opponents' miscues.
Okaro also continued to make an impact defensively, finishing with nine excellent digs, while Lacsina had seven receptions.
Lacsina’s off-speed hit set Akari at match point, and Cobb’s brilliant placement shot on Zone 5 secured the straight-set victory, which left the battle for the eighth and final quarterfinal spot hanging in the balance between Farm Fresh and Choco Mucho.
Farm Fresh finished the elimination round in eighth place with a 3-5 record worth 8 points. A decisive victory by Choco Mucho against the PLDT High Speed Hitters in the final elims playdate on Thursday could potentially place the Flying Titans in the last quarterfinal slot.
A win in three or four sets would tie the Flying Titans with Farm Fresh at 3-5, but Choco Mucho would advance with a superior points total. A loss by Choco Mucho would hand the final quarterfinal spot to Farm Fresh.
For Farm Fresh, Yeny Murillo led with 14 points, Caitlyn Viray added 10, Rizza Cruz contributed eight, and Aprylle Tagsip scored five.
Despite their focus on securing a three-set win to advance, the Foxies fell short and face an uncertain future regarding the quarterfinals.
As Akari now prepares for the quarterfinals, they will face either Farm Fresh again or the more formidable but currently struggling Flying Titans.
“We always strive to improve,” said Soltones in Filipino. “As a veteran, I suggest not overthinking things so we can stay smooth in our gameplay. The most important thing is to follow the system.”
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