Akari Chargers libero Justine Jazareno (right) in their PVL 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference Battle for Bronze match vs. the Choco Mucho Flying Titans. Photo from PVL Media.MANILA — The Akari Chargers are a win away from securing a podium finish in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.
Despite trailing two sets to none in the first game of their bronze medal series vs. the Choco Mucho Flying Titans on Tuesday, the Taka Minowa-coached squad managed to complete a reverse sweep to reassert their mastery of their counterparts.
Among the major factors in Akari’s come-from-behind win was their admirable floor defense, one that was highlighted by their 63-56 advantage on digs with the help of Justine Jazareno.
READ: Akari stuns Choco Mucho via reverse sweep to draw first blood in battle for bronze
“Gusto na naming kunin na namin yung laro na ito, yung for bronze,” said Jazareno, who tallied 29 of the Charges’ total excellent digs while doing it on 60% efficiency. “So pinaghirapan din naman namin yung game na ito.”
This was one of, if not, Jazareno’s best games since returning to the taraflex after giving birth to her firstborn a year ago.
She is also handling all of these while taking care of her responsibilities as a student at De La Salle University, but for the former Lady Spiker, she is just repaying Minowa’s trust.
“Overwhelming siya kasi syempre, wala pa akong one year nakabalik,” said Jazareno, who also had 16 receptions in the win. “So thankful lang din ako sa chance na binibigay ni coach sa akin, yung trust niya sa akin.”
For Coach Taka, Justine deserves all the praise and confidence that she is getting as she is seen as the key in Akari unleashing its potential on the defensive side.
“Actually on the stats, Akari in defense is almost always ranked in the bottom,” the Japanese coach said of his libero. “But I cannot believe it because we were able to make a good blocking team.”
”Syempre pag good block team, we have a lot of touches, but I guess, it’s not improving. But now that Justine is inside the court, she’s showing our potential, our defensive potential.”
“Now, our defense is not our problem. We can see our defense has improved,” he added.
Jazareno, Minowa, and the rest of the Chargers will now look to lock in their spot on the podium on Thursday when they face the Flying Titans in Game 2, 4:00 p.m., still at the Big Dome.
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