PVL: Akari bags bronze, beats Choco Mucho
Akari Chargers celebrate after winning the bronze medal in the PVL All-Filipino Conference following a win over the Choco Mucho Flying Titans.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Ivy Lacsina soared for an emphatic spike at match point and the Akari Chargers swept the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, 25-15, 26-24, 26-24, to reach the podium of the PVL All Filipino Conference on Saturday.
Gathering enough strength, Lacsina’s power strike found the back row off the arms of Choco Mucho libero Tonnie Rose Ponce as the Chargers emerged triumphant in the finale of their race-to-two series for the bronze medal.
“With that last point, I was able to recall all that happened to our team this conference. I poured everything on that last spike,” said the teary-eyed Lacsina after Akari nailed another podium finish for the second consecutive conference.
READ: PVL: ‘No room for frustration’ for Ivy Lacsina, Akari
Akari coach Taka Minowa, Eli Soyud, and Ivy Lacsina after winning bronze. #PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/Tn1vUliACt
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) April 12, 2025
The Chargers secured the silver in the previous reinforced conference after dropping their finals series with the Creamline Cool Smashers.
“We focused on scoring that last point because we might find it problematic if we allow them to gain momentum,” said Eli Soyud after pacing the Chargers with 18 points, 15 of them attacks, apart from three blocks.
Ced Domingo contributed 13 hits and two blocks while Lacsina added 12 points and an ace for the Chargers, who rose from seventh in the team rankings after the elimination phase to secure third place.
Michelle Cobb had 20 excellent sets while Grethcel Soltones helped protect the Akari floor with 18 digs and 17 receptions aside from tallying six points.
“This is a big achievement for our team. A championship in the next conference? I think we need to polish our game and work on minimizing our errors for us to reach the finals,” said Soyud.
Snatching the first two sets, the Chargers looked clearly determined to end the match after racing ahead at the start of the third frame.
READ: PVL: Akari pulls off reverse sweep vs Choco Mucho, nears bronze
“A bronze-medal finish in a long conference. I’m so proud of our team, we made a lot of improvement and showed our fighting spirit,” said Akari coach Minowa Takayuki.
They encountered several anxious moments in the third as the Flying Titans came charging back on a pair of Sisi Rondina attacks and an unforced error by Lacsina that knotted the count at 22.
Soyud smacked a cross that found the corner followed by another Lacsina smash, bringing the Chargers closer to match point.
Rondina had 14 points and two blocks and Royse Tubino added nine points plus two deflections for the Flying Titans, who missed bringing home a trophy this time following back-to-back silver performances the past two conferences.
Rondina’s unmolested foray in the middle and another blunder by Lacsina tied the match one last time.
Soyud then delivered a down-the-line hit and Lacsina closed the door on the Flying Titans with a smash.
