THE champs are out.
Akari grabbed the penultimate spot in the 2025 PVL on Tour quarterfinals by eliminating All-Filipino champion Petro Gazz, 32-30, 25-22, 25-19, on Tuesday at the Philsports Arena.
Including regular conferences, the Chargers’ quest is on for a third straight PVL podium finish after landing silver in last year’s import-laden play and silver in the All-Filipino Conference.
Akari will face Cignal in the knockout quarterfinals on Thursday, having lost just once in their five preliminary-round matches.
Sans lead setter Kamille Cal, Creamline’s former second-stringer Bea Bonafe manned Akari’s winning offense along with rookie winger-turned-converted setter Joan Doguna.
In her first-ever PVL start, Bonafe dished out 14 excellent sets.
Ivy Lacsina steered the Chargers to the knockout quarterfinals with 16 points built on 12 attacks, three blocks and one ace.
Bright and alight for Akari
The Chargers needed six set points to put the defending champions away in an extended first set — one that had seven deadlocks in the home stretch — before seizing full control the rest of the way.
Akari eked out that first-set win despite giving away 14 of their 27 unforced errors in the match.
With Myla Pablo (15 points) and Nicole Tiamzon (12 points) up front, the Angels put up a four-point run to erase four Akari set points in the second frame before Grethcel Soltones picked up an off-the-block hit to double their set lead and subsequently clinch the seventh playoff spot.
"Nu'ng una po, medyo nags-struggle po kami dahil medyo kinakapa pa po namin [yung laro].Kahit naman po ngayon, sadyang nagulat nga din po kami na ganon po yung nilaro po namin kanina," Lacsina said.
"Hindi naman po kami sobrang nahirapan kasi nakikita po namin yung coaches talagang ia-ask, sasabihin po sa amin nang detalyado mga dapat naming gawin para makuha yung panalo/"
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.
