Akari Chargers’ Ivy Lacsina, Michele Cobb, Fifi Sharma, Faith Nisperos during a PVL All-Filipino Conference game. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Akari recovered from a lethargic first-set loss before overcoming Galeries Tower, 28-30, 25-15, 25-16, 25-23, to kick off the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference on a high note on Saturday at Philsports Arena.
The Chargers started their new season off the wrong foot, blowing a 24-22 advantage and four set-point leads that allowed the HighRisers to tie it to 28-all after Jewel Encarnacion’s hit.
Akari committed back-to-back errors after Ivy Lacsina’s attack went outside followed by a two touches violation from Cams Victoria, giving the opening set to Galeries.
SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024-2025
That first-set defeat was a wake-up call for the Chargers, who had a preseason trip in Japan after entering the PVL Reinforced Finals.
“Since the last conference I handled Akari, it’s really a slow start, even today. I think we could finish 3-0, but we expect Galeries here to be a good defense team, but we started with a lot of errors,” said Akari coach Taka Minowa after committing 33 errors in the game. “In the first set, we just gave points. So we just changed Ivy and Greth’s positions. They were able to adjust.”
Akari, which missed the services of Ced Domingo, dominated the next two sets for a 2-1 lead and brought out the pair of Alas Pilipinas players Faith Nisperos and Fifi Sharma in the fourth set.
Akari Chargers’ Faith Nisperos during a PVL All-Filipino Conference game. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Nisperos scored eight points in the frame to give the Chargers a 22-18 lead, but Galeries refused to give up with Andrea Marzan nailing big blocks followed by a four touches violation to cut the deficit down to one.
Nisperos, who had 16 points, stopped the bleeding soaring over her blockers before Eli Soyud closed out the game with two consecutive kills to finish with 21 points highlighted by six blocks.
READ: PVL: Faith Nisperos, Fifi Sharma aim to lead Akari back to finals
Grethcel Soltones delivered 16 points on top of 13 digs and eight excellent receptions. Ivy Lacsina also scored 16, while libero Dani Ravena protected the floor with 11 digs and 10 receptions.
“Lahat ng opponents kasi, nirerespect namin. Every crucial point, ang naka-mindset sa’min is hindi masayang ‘yung mga pinaghirapan namin during training,” said Soltones.
“Na-miss namin sila [Faith and Fifi] last conference. Nag-expect din ako from them, especially nakalaro sila sa ibang bansa and isa sa mga malalakas din.”
Akari eyes its second win on Thursday against ZUS Coffee at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Julia Coronel, the No.3 overall pick of Galeries, made a rousing debut with nine excellent sets and eight points including two spikes in the fourth set. Ysa Jimenez’s big game with 17 points, while Jewel Encarnacion had 10 points.
The HighRisers seek to bounce back also on Thursday against Choco Mucho.