AKARI was made to sweat late by Galeries Tower before taking a 25-11, 25-23, 25-23 win in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference on Tuesday at the Playtime Filoil Centre.
American import Annie Mitchem powered the Chargers’ 9-1 match-winning run in the third canto from being down by as much as six on multiple occasions.
She went on to produce 14 points, seven digs and four receptions.
Eli Soyud also provided the clutch hits in that late third-set comeback to cap her 12-point game built on eight attacks, three aces and one block.
Mars Alba kept the Chargers steady in the face of a late Highrisers comeback with 19 excellent sets and four points.
Akari ascends to second place in Pool B at 3-1 (win-loss) before challenging unbeaten league leader ZUS Coffee on Nov. 4 to close out the first group stage.
This is also Akari’s first non-five set win in the conference after three consecutive matches that went the distance, split into two wins and a loss.
“‘Yun naman talaga ‘yung goal namin na ma-sweep lahat ng remaining games but still we have to work on sa attitude namin towards the game and within the team," said Akari head coach Tina Salak.
“Mahirap pa i-align kasi meron kaming binabago sa sistema pero very fortunate ako na si Mars ‘yung setter namin and nakukuha niya ‘yung mga kailangang adjustments sa team.”
Highrisers still falling
The hapless Highrisers go down to 0-5, still without a win in 12 games since the All-Filipino qualifying round last February.
Montenegrin spiker Jelena Cvijovic was the lone Galeries Tower ace in double digits with 10 points and seven receptions.
Solid nine-point outings from rookie middle blocker Jean Asis and France Ronquillo kept the Highrisers afloat, particularly in Set 3 when they were just three points away from their first set win of the conference before Akari's breakout run sent them reeling.
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