AKARI found its spark late against sister team Nxled with a 21-25, 25-20, 26-24, 25-18 win in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at the Philsports Arena.
The Chargers have now won three of their last four matches against the Chameleons since both Akari-backed squads were in the league in 2023.
Akari evened its record to 4-4 while extending Nxled’s winless run to 14 since last year’s Reinforced Conference in July.
Leading scorer Ivy Lacsina had 17 points on 14 attacks, two aces and one block to steer Akari to victory after captain Mich Cobb’s horror fall early in Set 2.
Cobb has since been ‘responsive’ after being stretched off the court.
Chiara Permentilla's near double-double of 20 attacks and nine digs and rookie Lucille Almonte's 13-point breakout game both went for naught as Nxled dropped its seventh straight match this conference.
Search for the missing spark
Akari has struggled to build on the momentum of its franchise's first-ever PVL finals appearance back in the import-laden play last year.
Since winning their first two matches this conference, the Chargers have lost four of their last six.
The overarching problem? Akari's just been too inconsistent, as of late, and has been stuck in the bottom half of the league standings in eighth place.
"We're not consistent. That's our problem. But if we're going to unite, play as a team, that's the time we can win," said head coach Taka Minowa.
"That's what I think all the players are showing. Sometimes also, we cannot control ourselves because of the emotion, because of the immaturity. But as long as we can win, I think it's going to be well for the next coming games."
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
