PVL: Akari stays in semis race, eliminates Galeries

Akari Chargers.–PVL PHOTO

STA. ROSA, Laguna—Akari kept its slim semifinal chances alive after eliminating Galeries Tower, 25-19, 25-17, 25-20, in the PVL All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at Sta. Rosa Sports Complex here.

Dindin Santiago-Manabat led the way with 16 points from 13 attacks, two blocks and an ace as the Chargers improved to 3-5.

Grethcel Soltones scattered 12 points from 10 kills and two aces with 10 excellent digs and five excellent receptions while middle blocker Fifi Sharma added 10 points, four coming from blocks.

SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024

“Well ‘yung preparation namin from losing dun sa previous game namin, ‘yung ginawa namin is back to basic ng system talaga para ma-inculcate naman dun sa mga bata kung ano ‘yung gagawin inside the court,” Akari coach Raffy Mosuela said.

Michelle Cobb also helped Akari end a two-game skid with 18 excellent sets while Ezra Madrigal chipped in nine points.

“I think in terms of improvement [it’s] different per player. So ‘yun ‘yung naging highlight namin actually last week na parang more than halfway na tapos ‘yung [conference] like ano ba ‘yung naging improvement ko sa sarili ko,” Cobb said.

“I can’t really say like individually kung ano ‘yung kumbaga goal ng bawat isa, pero hopefully, if each of us has our own improvement, kumbaga mag-equate siya into a whole unit, a whole team,” she added.

Faith Nisperos also made her presence felt in the third set, helping Akari go on an 8-0 run for a 20-12 advantage.

“Well, as a team, we just wanted to show ‘yung improvement namin. We need to train ourselves para mag-improve and that is what we need in order to win,” Nisperos said. “So as long as we’re improving, ‘yun muna ‘yung panghahawakan namin as a team.”

“As long as we’re on the court we want to contribute as much as we can and yun lang naman ang mindset ko as long as I am ready to contribute to the team, yun yung role ko, gagampanan ko sa loob,” she added.

Galeries Tower tried to mount a comeback, forcing Akari to four match points with Doromal, Bombita and Ipac narrowing the margin to just four before Eli Soyud finally delivered the game-winning attack.

France Ronquillo led the Highrisers with 11 points but it was not enough as Galeries sank to a 2-6 card.

Akari will have a relatively easier schedule starting against Capital1 on Thursday at PhilSports Arena before giving its best against Chery Tiggo and capping its elimination schedule with Strong Group.