AKARI made history on Monday as the lowest-seeded team to ever reach a Premier Volleyball League (PVL) semifinal.
The eighth-seeded Chargers stunned league-leader Farm Fresh, 28-26, 30-28, 25-21, in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference knockout quarterfinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
This marks the first time that a No. 1 seed has been eliminated by a No. 8 seed in the three editions where the PVL used the traditional eight-team quarterfinal format.
READ Petro Gazz ends Creamline streak of 19 straight semis appearances
“Lahat ’to team effort. Lahat, everything, from technical to small information to feedbacks, eeverything goes doon sa training namin. In-all out na namin and we made sure na hindi pa 'yun ang last training for Akari," said Chargers head coach Tina Salak.
Akari needed four set points to put Farm Fresh away in an extended opening frame, then erased three Foxies set points in another grind-it-out second set.
A signature Mitchem crosscourt kill finally delivered the dagger to the top seeds, sealing a historic straight-sets playoff win.
Annie Mitchem erupted for 25 points and 14 receptions, while Grethcel Soltones and Eli Soyud chipped in 10 points apiece for the Chargers.
Justine Jazareno anchored the floor with 21 digs and 10 receptions, backed by a steady 19 excellent sets from Mars Alba.
Middle blockers Fifi Sharma and Ced Domingo likewise delivered, adding nine and seven points, respectively.
The reigning silver medalists in import-laced play now have a shot at back-to-back finals appearances, with Petro Gazz as the semifinal opponent on Thursday.
Fresh start spoiled
Belgian winger Helene Rousseaux carried the load for a Foxies squad riding a four-game win streak into the knockout quarterfinals.
Rousseaux finished with 25 points and nine receptions, followed by Ces Molina’s eight markers and Alohi Robins-Hardy’s seven.
Trisha Tubu, Farm Fresh’s top local scorer, was limited to just six points in a rough outing.
Converted libero Alyssa Bertolano held the line on defense with 16 digs and 13 receptions.
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