PVL: Akari ousts PLDT in controversial finish to advance to final

Oly Okaro and the Akari Chargers celebrate their PVL Reinforced semifinals win over PLDT High Speed Hitters. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Akari secured a first-ever finals appearance after surviving PLDT, 25-22, 18-25, 22-25, 26-24, 17-15, in the PVL Reinforced Conference on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Oly Okaro paved the way for the Chargers with her best scoring output of 39 points from 35 attacks and four blocks as Akari extended its blistering winning streak to 10.

“I just tried to stay composed as much as possible because we’ve obviously been there many times before, in the fifth set. So maybe that was actually our blessing this time because we knew what to do in this kind of situation,” Okaro said.

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“So I just tried to stay calm, you know, remind everyone that it’s okay, we got it, we’ve been there, and just trying to focus back on the basics instead of thinking too much of the pressure where we’re at,” she added.

Ivy Lacsina was still effective with 19 points off 17 attacks, a block and an ace while forming a lethal three-headed prong was Grethcel Soltones with 16 points and also had 12 excellent digs.

Majoy Baron and the PLDT High Speed Hitters bench. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Chargers will be waiting for their opponent between the ongoing semifinal clash of Creamline and Cignal.

Akari’s win was marred by a controversial “unsuccessful” net fault challenge in what could’ve been a game-winning point for PLDT. With the officials ruling it on the side of the Chargers, the game was tied at 14-all.

READ: PVL explains no net touch in controversial PLDT-Akari endgame

Even with Elena Samoilenko dropping 30 points, the High Speed Hitters’ campaign was still cut short. Erika Santos helped with 15 attack points while Fiola Ceballos added 14 points.

Ceballos gave back the lead to PLDT after a smart attack where she pushed off the hand of a defender before Soltones tied the game again at 15-all. Soltones hit a clutch down the line that Samoilenko was not able to control for the lead.

Ceballos’ performance was also highlighted by 14 excellent digs and 22 excellent receptions. PLDT captain and libero Kath Arado caught 19 excellent digs, Samoilenko 12 excellent receptions.

Kim Fajardo had 20 excellent sets.

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It all came down to a deadly attack error by PLDT’s Russian reinforcement that did not cross the net that sealed Akari’s fate which was also its first win against the High Speed Hitters in five meetings.

Dani Ravena did her part for the Chargers with 12 excellent digs and 17 excellent receptions as Kamille Cal set up her teammates with 18 excellent sets.

“You saw Greta, Oly, and Ivy also, we’re not fully happy because of what happened to the last point. But I think we did well, and PLDT was also doing well—more than what we expected,” Minowa said.

“We were also having a hard time, especially with [Erika Santos]. We’re still running a lot and we need to improve, especially we have a lot of young players. We’re missing the experience,” he added.