AKARI made its breakthrough at the expense of a reeling PLDT side with a stunning 25-18, 25-19, 25-22 sweep in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab series on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Even without head coach Tina Salak due to undisclosed personal matters, the Chargers came out firing under deputy Eddieson Orcullo, keeping the High Speed Hitters in check from start to finish in a match that lasted just one hour and 36 minutes.
“Du’n siguro nanggaling lahat eh [first two losses], ‘yung motivation ng bawat isa pati ‘yung kagustuhan na manalo lalo sa dulo ng third set. Marami kasing pwedeng mangyari kapag makuha pa ng kalaban ‘yung third set kaya pinilit namin na makuha na ‘yung huli,” Orcullo said.
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Eli Soyud led the charge with 12 points, but Akari’s defensive effort proved just as decisive, with libero Justine Jazareno delivering 15 digs and a 71-percent reception efficiency to blunt PLDT’s usually potent attack.
Grethcel Soltones also made her presence felt on the defensive end, finishing with four points alongside 13 receptions and seven digs as the Chargers kept the pressure on throughout the contest.
PLDT, meanwhile, struggled to find its offensive rhythm, managing just 30 attack points while committing 27 errors.
Jessa Ordiales led the High Speed Hitters with 10 points as Savi Davison endured one of her quietest outings yet with just five points as the team failed to mount a sustained comeback.
Savi Davison endured one of her quietest outings to date, managing just five points as the two-time champions failed to mount a sustained comeback.
The result gave Akari its first win of the conference, improving to 1-2, while PLDT remained winless at 0-2.
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