Akari inched closer to a first-ever title crack in the Premier Volleyball League title after overcoming a resilient Farm Fresh side in a 17-25, 25-18, 25-22, 25-23 victory, claiming the second berth in the semifinal round of the Reinforced Conference at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan late Saturday.
Despite a shaky start, where they dropped the opening set to the Foxies, the Chargers quickly regained their composure, showcasing the form that has made them a formidable force throughout the two-phase eliminations.
Their ability to turn the tide, even against strong opposition, has been a hallmark of their campaign, highlighted by reverse sweeps against two of the league’s most feared teams.
The two-hour, five-minute triumph not only extended Akari's winning streak to nine matches in this mid-season conference organized by Sports Vision, but it also positioned them within striking distance of a coveted finals appearance.
The top-seeded Akari, which finished no higher than seventh in a five-conference stint since 2022, will face the winner of the PLDT-Chery Tiggo matchup in Thursday’s semifinals, which will also be a knockout phase.
The championship showdown is set for Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The No. 2 Cignal narrowly averted disaster earlier, squandering a two-set lead before surviving Marina Tushova’s record-setting 50-point performance with a gripping 25-19, 36-34, 16-25, 22-25, 15-12 escape over seventh ranked Capital1 to nail the first semis seat.
The HD Spikers will next meet the winner in the Creamline-Chery Tiggo duel on Tuesday.
Akari faced a significant challenge in the fourth set when libero Dani Ravena suffered a right foot injury while trying to keep the ball in play, just as the Chargers were rallying from a 9-15 deficit.
Despite this setback, the team showed its big fighting heart, with coach Taka Minowa making a strategic double substitution by bringing in Michelle Cobb and Joy Soyud for Oly Okaro and Kamille Cal.
Soyud immediately made an impact, delivering consecutive hits, including the one that broke a 15-all count
With Camille Victoria also entering the fray, the Chargers surged ahead, establishing a 21-17 lead. However, the eighth-seeded Foxies refused to give up as Trisha Tubu, Leny Murillo and Caitlyn Viray combined to knot the set at 22.
In the critical moments, Grethcel Soltones stepped up, delivering back-to-back kills to push Akari to match point after Kate Santiago briefly tied the set at 23. Santiago attempted to extend the match, but Victoria thwarted her in a one-on-one aerial battle, sealing the victory for the Chargers.
After the match, Soltones underscored the importance of the team's focus on continuous improvement and staying composed, saying, "Huwag masyadong mag-isip para maging smooth ang gagalawin sa court at follow the system."
In taking over in the clutch, Soltones said: “Pag gitgitan ang laban, hanap ka ng pwede mong kapitan.”
“It was a team effort. We took some time and lost the first set. But from the second set onward, our players gradually found their groove,” said Minowa. “Maybe it’s about the pressure.”
Leading Akari’s charge were Okaro and Soltones, who fired 17 points apiece while Ivy Lacsina and Victoria also played pivotal roles, contributing 12 and nine points, respectively, providing the necessary support to push the Chargers over the line.
Farm Fresh used a 12-1 run in the opening frame to transform a 4-8 deficit into a commanding 16-9 lead and the Foxies cruised to victory by trading shots the rest of the way.
After leveling the match with an imposing fightback in the next frame, the Chargers took the pivotal set by storming to a 16-7 lead, aided by several Farm Fresh attack errors. Farm Fresh, however, scored four of the next five points to rally from nine points down and charged to within 21-23 on a Rizza Cruz block against Ezra Madrigal.
But Alyssa Bertolano served long and after lefty Kate Santiago saved a set point on a power hit, the latter also committed a service fault, enabling the Chargers to wrest a 2-1 set lead.
Tubu led Farm Fresh with 15 points, though her struggle in the fourth set was felt as the Foxies tried to keep up. Leny Murillo and Caitlyn Viray both contributed 12 points each, while Kate Santiago added seven markers to the tally.
