PVL: Thriving as starter, Eli Soyud has career game for Akari
Akari’s Eli Soyud during a PVL semifinal game against Choco Mucho.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
ANTIPOLO — Eager to prove that her time is now, Eli Soyud unleashed a career-best 34 points to power Akari past surging Choco Mucho in their first 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals game on Saturday at Ynares Center Antipolo.
Soyud, who has been promoted to starter this conference, brought out her A-game with 27 kills and seven blocks to keep the Chargers afloat and deny the Flying Titans from another comeback win, 20-25, 25-19, 25-23, 22-25, 16-14, in front of a jampacked arena.
The veteran opposite spiker became the sixth-highest local scorer, tying the season-high of Brooke Van Sickle and Savi Davison.
READ: PVL: Akari outlasts Choco Mucho as semifinals gets going
Eli Soyud shares her motivation this #PVL2025 conference after pouring in 34 to start the semis. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/6wZAh7DMgZ
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 29, 2025
Her motivation was the opportunity given to her as the team’s main opposite hitter.
“The trust Coach Taka (Minowa) gave me, the coaches, and my teammates—this is my time. I’ve been given playing time, and I grabbed that chance. Of course, I don’t want to waste it. For me, getting that playing time means I need to take this opportunity seriously for my career to prove that I can do it,” said Soyud in Filipino
“My teammates really fought for it, everyone was speaking up, giving input on what to do. So for me, we can’t let everyone’s effort go to waste.”
Soyud was also inspired by her recent inclusion in the 33-player wishlist for Alas Pilipinas’ tournaments this year including the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
Although she is focused on Akari’s campaign, the Adamson product’s inclusion was a motivation even she had doubters when the list was announced.
READ: PVL semifinals preview: Creamline’s drive for five faces familiar foes
Despite the Alas Pilipinas invite, Eli Soyud’s main goal is to help Akari. #PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/KblCqulWuW
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 29, 2025
“I was really surprised to be on the wishlist. No one expected it, and for me, it’s a huge motivation for myself and my team. Like Jus (Jazareno) said, we’re here now, so we’re going to grab the opportunity and give it our all while we can,” said Soyud. “Anyone on that list will have critics, but for me, I’ll just focus on playing for my team, helping them, and working to lift us up.”
Soyud and the Chargers prevented the Flying Titans from completing another comeback as the latter reached match point with a 14-11 lead in the fifth. Akari scored five straight points to win the first of their three semifinal round-robin games.
“There’s nothing else we can do. If we don’t fight, nothing will happen. So we’re giving it everything we’ve got to avoid regrets. Good thing we’ve learned a lot,” she said.
