AKARI came out on top in another five-setter against Chery Tiggo EV, 25-11, 22-25, 29-27, 17-25, 15-7, to stay unscathed in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Fresh off its first franchise win over Creamline in Montalban last Saturday, the Chargers found themselves in a similar position as they nearly squandered a two sets to one lead.
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But Akari’s local core sans Ivy Lacsina came to the team’s rescue in the fifth-set tiebreak through clutch attacks from Eli Soyud, Grethcel Soltones and Ced Domingo.
The Chargers trio led an 8-1 tear and scored nine points combined that made the difference in sudden death.
Domingo put up 16 points on seven attacks, five blocks and four aces behind Soyud's 17-point, eight-dig game.
American winger Annie Mitchem manned Akari's strong start with 17 markers and 15 receptions.
"Every training, kailangan all-out na. Hindi na kailangang mag-pacing para hindi kami nabibitin. Sabi ko nga sa kanila, tayo rin 'yung nahihirapan kahit in control naman kayo," said Akari head coach Tina Salak.
"Kung kaya natin tapusin in three sets, kung kaya natin pa-abutin in four, mas maganda para na rin sa kanila kasi sila rin ‘yung napapagod."
Ran out of gas again
Like Akari, it was the locals who held the fort for the most part for the struggling Crossovers.
It was even Cess Robles who led Chery Tiggo EV's offense with 20 points to atone for Cuban hitter Yuni Batista's late resurgence in the match.
Still, Batista churned out a near triple-double of 17 points, 14 digs and nine receptions.
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