The Akari Chargers in the PVL Reinforced Conference. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Akari cruised to its fourth consecutive win in the PVL Reinforced Conference with a 25-18, 25-15, 25-23 beating of hapless ZUS Coffee on Thursday at PhilSports Arena.
The trio of Oly Okaro, Ivy Lacsina and Grethcel Soltones served as a three-headed prong on the offense orchestrated by Kamille Cal to a 4-0 record.
Okaro finished with 14 points, all but one from kills, Lacsina contributed 13 points on 11 attacks and two blocks and Soltones added 12 points.
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Cal made it happen for the Chargers with 17 excellent sets as Ced Domingo had eight points.
“I’m really grateful din po sa tiwala na binibigay ng coaches sa akin especially na I’m just new to the team,” Cal said. “For sure, as a new setter there will be a lot of lapses with regards to our connection pero thank God na nawo-work out naman namin siya sa training.”
The former University of the Philippines import has been making her presence felt since she moved to Akari from Nxled in a multiplayer swap.
“I knew [the transfer] was going to be good for me but at the same time I was also a little sad kasi I already built this connection with my previous team and we were building this really nice bond but then suddenly I have to move out of that team and transfer to another,” Cal said.
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“But then even if I transferred we could still bond naman outside. Overall I’m just really grateful and excited,” she added.
ZUS Coffee gave its all to try and extend the game in the error-filled third frame before Okaro shifted all the momentum to the Chargers’ way with a block on Dolly Versoza.
Akari Chargers import Oly Okaro. –PVL PHOTO
“Before every game, coach Taka and the rest of the coaches always tell me [stick to] our game plan. That’s why sa previous games din talaga medyo napupukpok ako ni coach Taka [Minowa] regarding that,” Cal said.
“With regards to the distribution I’m always reminded na dapat sumilip ako sa block and I always have to check kung sino yung mga katapat ng spikers ko and where I could make an advantage,” she said.
Asaka Tamaru made a last ditch effort to narrow the game to just a single possession with a hit from back row and Yprylle Tapia’s timely combination play.
But with Victoria’s cross-court kill for the match point, the table was set on Okaro to bring home the win.
No Thunderbelles reached twin digits with Tamaru only having eight attack points while Mich Gamit, Gayle Pascual and Sharya Ancheta each contributing five points.
Versoza only had three points but caught 13 excellent receptions as ZUS Coffee dropped its fourth consecutive game.