Faith Nisperos and the Akari Chargers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals against Galeries Tower High Risers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Akari encountered another stiff resistance from Galeries Tower before prevailing, 19-25, 25-20, 16-25, 25-20, 15-12, on Thursday night to advance to the semifinals of the PVL All Filipino Conference.
Faith Nisperos hammered a powerful runner at match point as the Chargers celebrated on the Philsports Arena floor after pulling off another reversal to wrap up their quarterfinal series in two games against the steadfast Highrisers.
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“As always, we want to contribute and stay ready. What I like in this team, everybody is capable and ready all the time,’’ said Nisperos after pouring most of her 14 attacks in the last two crucial sets that went well with 13 digs.
Eli Soyud led the Chargers with 18 attacks out of 20 points and Grethcel Soltones had 13 points, including hitting five in the pivotal stretch of the deciding frame while Ylizeth Jazareno protected the Akari floor with 16 receptions and 16 digs.
Akari Chargers’ Eli Soyud in the PVL All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals against Galeries Tower Highrisers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“We knew the difficulty in defeating Galeries (Tower) because of their defense. We just pushed ourselves not to waste those sets that we’ve won,’’ said Soltones in Filipino.
Down by a set at the start, the Chargers swung back in Set 2 on a variety of attacks courtesy of Soyud and Soltones.
Soyud’s hit from the right pin leveled the count at 20 and Soltones scored with back-to-back smashes, the last one off the hand of Ysabel Jimenez as the Chargers secured the much-needed cushion.
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Michelle Cobb returned Jewel Encarnacion’s power spike in the next sequence before Celine Domingo pummeled it down with a perfectly timed crosscourt at set point.
Encarnacion caught fire in the third set, unleashing the majority of the Highrisers’ crucial hits as they secured the advantage.
Five consecutive Encarnacion spikes put Galeries Tower comfortably on top, 20-13, and another pair of Jimenez smashes widened the gap before Ivy Lacsina’s net touch ended the set.
Nisperos then rose to the occasion in keeping the Chargers in the fight, helping protect their turf and driving the much-needed kills.
Nisperos deflected a Jimenez attack and tallied three more points on a crosscourt blow, a block and a down-the-line hit that pushed Akari to set point.
Another Nisperos kill in the ensuing play ultimately extended the match to a five-setter.
The Chargers raced ahead, 9-4, on a pair of Soltones hits, but the Highrisers made a last-ditch surge through the efforts of Encarnacion and Jimenez.
Andrea Marzan’s attack error, however, broke the last deadlock at 11 and the Chargers took advantage of another Encarnacion miscue before Soyud and Nisperos closed it out with timely hits.