PLAYOFF-bound Akari stretched its unbeaten run to six by dodging the upset bullet fired by Galeries Tower, 23-25, 25-15, 25-16, 22-25, 18-16, in Pool D of the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference on Saturday at the Philsports Arena.
Through Oly Okaro’s 32-point performance, the Chargers' Cinderella run reached a new high upon starting Round 2 as the PVL's last undefeated team.
Akari charges onto history
Akari's six-win benchmark is enough to secure the franchise's first-ever playoff appearance since their inception in 2022, as current ninth-seed Choco Mucho can only rack up a maximum of four wins by the end of pool play.
Grethcel Soltones took matters into her own hands in the fifth set tiebreak by saving two Highriser match points, right before converting their only match point through Okaro’s back-to-back hits.
“(Grabe) ‘yung pagod namin, ng bawat isa, kasi nu’ng mga nakaraang days, parang sinubok din talaga kami ng panahon kasi we’re not feeling well. We’re off for two days, especially the first six, and after that, one day lang kami nakapag-prepare," said Soltones, who had 13 important points in the victory that allows the Chargers to surpass their highest win total in a single PVL conference.
Ivy Lacsina also starred with 20 points on 17 attacks and three of 16 team blocks in the two-hour, 40-minute contest.
Net defense was one thing that pushed the Chargers to the breakthrough, but floor defense also proved to be of equal importance as Soltones’ defensive double-double of 14 receptions and 11 digs, Dani Ravena’s 18 digs, and Max Juangco’s 14 receptions denied Galeries Tower one last crack at an upset.
Veteran libero Alyssa Eroa lived up to the Highrisers' emerging reputation as a defensive powerhouse with 30 receptions and 21 digs, which paired well with a strong effort from Sutadta Chuewulim (20 points and 12 digs).
Just as it was in the first round, however, another brave Galeries Tower stand went for naught as they remain winless through six matches.
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