The Akari Chargers. PVL Media Bureau
DASMARIÑAS, Cavite (UPDATED) — After 10 tries, Akari finally earned one win over Creamline.
The Chargers hacked out a 23-25, 25-23, 30-28, 23-25, 15-12 victory over the PVL's winningest squad in the 2025 Reinforced Conference on Saturday at the Dasmariñas Arena.
This marked the squad's first-ever win in head-to-head affairs after three long years — also in their Reinforced Conference Finals rematch.
American import Annie Mitchem made this possible, pacing the team with 34 points on 33 attacks and one block to go with 14 excellent receptions.
"I’m very happy sa result namin. Of course, matagal na ‘yung anticipation for a win against Creamline. It happened today, so thank you for this ladies beside me," said coach Tina Salak, referring to Mitchem and setter Mars Alba.
"Also, team effort especially ‘yung coaches pagdating sa decision making namin. On point lahat nung nangyari," she added.
As Akari led two sets to one, the Cool Smashers did not bow out without a fight. After a closely-fought Set 4 win, nailed by a Pangs Panaga quick attack and Michele Gumabao off-the-block hit, the defending champs rose to a two-point lead, 9-7, in the decider, seemingly having the upper hand.
But that's when Mitchem sparked four unanswered points with back-to-back hits, coupled by a Fifi Sharma quick hit and Gumabao net fault, to overtake at 11-9.
Only a one point game after a Courtney Schwan hit, 12-11, an Alyssa Valdez attack sailed out and a Mitchem kill block propelled the Chargers to match point, 14-11.
Eli Soyud's service later on went wide, to which they challenged for a ball in/out but was unsuccessful; however, that didn't really matter as the Akari reinforcement found the game-clinching into-the-block hit to wrap up the five-set marathon, which lasted for three long hours and 16 minutes.
"I’m really happy and proud of us because this team is really good. That’s what everyone said, and I’m very glad that we won this game, it was like really difficult," said Mitchem.
"We were down by a lot of points in some moments, but we came back which is I’m so proud of," she added.
Soyud, Sharma, and Ced Domingo completed the supporting cast in the scoring department with 14, 13, and 12 points respectively, while Alba steered that offense with 21 excellent sets.
Courtney Schwan, in her first game in the PVL with Creamline, had 26 points, while Valdez showed her vintage form with 18 points, as Tots Carlos contributed 12 points in her return.
Jema Galanza, who was in attendance, did not see action for the Cool Smashers.