PVL: Akari makes it five in a row with win over Galeries
Akari Chargers celebrate during a game against the Galeries High Risers in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference.–PVL PHOTO
SANTA ROSA, Laguna — Akari continued to wax hot in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference with a 25-23, 25-23, 14-25, 26-24 victory over Galeries Tower on Tuesday at the Santa Rosa Sports Complex here.
After a 0-3 start, the red-hot Chargers picked up their fifth straight victory to move a win closer to sealing a top-four spot with a 5-3 record.
But it wasn’t a walk in the park, with Akari losing steam in the third and took a beating after surviving the first two.
READ: PVL: Ivy Lacsina spearheading Akari’s turnaround
Akari coach Tina Salak and Grethcel Soltones on their five-game winning streak. #PVL2026 @inquirersports pic.twitter.com/yBRbLuQljI
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 17, 2026
Akari got its rhythm back in the fourth with a 19-16 lead, but Galeries didn’t go down without a fight, with Cams Victoria tying the game at 20.
Ivy Lacsina, who was averaging 19.8 points in their past four wins, was limited to seven points but delivered the ones that mattered, scoring three of the next four to bring her team to match point, 24-22, before Eli Soyud sealed Akari’s win.
“Galeries was really inspiring—their motivation stood out. That’s actually the challenge for us now: every time we have games where we’re not playing at our best. Because not every day feels like Christmas,” said Akari coach Tina Salak in Filipino.
“Good thing we were able to pull this one off and get through it well. But honestly, our recovery still isn’t enough. Our previous games weren’t easy.”
Akari turned to its middle blockers, Ced Domingo and Fifi Sharma, who led the way with 14 and 13 points, respectively, and combined for eight of the team’s 10 blocks. Soyud chipped in 12, while Grethcel Soltones had eight points and eight digs despite playing with a flu.
READ: PVL: Tina Salak sees bright future for hungry Akari Chargers
Mars Alba dished out 27 excellent sets on top of four points, while Justine Jazarena tallied 15 digs.
PLDT (7-1) and Cignal (6-2) already captured the first two qualifying round berths, where the top four teams will fight for the first two semifinal tickets. Creamline is gunning for the third spot against Farm Fresh as of posting time.
Akari will try to seal a top-four berth against Farm Fresh on Saturday at Filoil Centre in San Juan City.
“I don’t want us to just keep pushing nonstop because we’re also aiming for a sixth win, right? So right now, recovery is what we’re really focusing on. You can clearly see it in how we’re moving. But moving forward, it’s nice to see our position in the rankings, and that’s also what motivates us,” Salak said.
Galeries was already relegated to the Play-In with a 2-6 record after absorbing its fourth straight loss, with Aia Maizo Pontillas displaying her vintage form with 17 points.
Raagas had 14 points against her former team. Jean Asis chipped in 13, while Erika Deloria added 10 points, 12 digs, and nine excellent receptions.
