The Akari Chargers. PVL Media Bureau
SANTA ROSA, Laguna (UPDATED) — Streaking Akari's bid for a qualifying round berth in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference got a huge boost.
This, as the Chargers turned back Galeries in a hotly-contested four-set battle, 25-23, 25-23, 14-25, 26-24, to keep their winning run going at the Santa Rosa Sports Complex here.
They needed to survive a resurgent Highrisers side, proving to be a threat despite their cellar-dwelling record which now dropped to 2-6.
With the win, the Chargers are now at 5-3, virtually moving to a win away from a spot in the qualifying phase.
"Actually, ‘yung sa Galeries talaga nakaka-inspire ‘yung motivation nila. ‘Yun ‘yung challenge ko sa kanila ngayon na every time na nagkakaroon tayo ng mga ganitong pagkakataon na mababa ‘yung nilalaro namin — kasi ‘di naman talaga everyday parang Pasko. I think sa amin buti nairaos namin," said coach Tina Salak during the postgame interview.
Bucking a Set 3 loss, Ivy Lacsina anchored Akari's offense with clutch hits late in Set 4 as the Galeries side threatened their lead, with Eli Soyud complementing her efforts.
Erika Raagas suffered a costly service error despite scoring an ace prior, propelling Akari to match point at 25-24, as Soyud found the crosscourt kill that put the Highrisers to sleep.
READ: PVL: Player of the Week Lacsina sparks Akari's turnaround
While Lacsina ended her double-digit scoring streak, only tallying seven markers, she had reliable colleagues as Ced Domingo listed 14 points on four blocks, while Fifi Sharma had 13 markers, also on four rejections at the net.
Soyud, for her part, had 12 points, as Mars Alba pulled the strings with 27 excellent sets to go with four points.
"'Yun, nagkaproblema kami sa energy simula sa first set pa lang, kasi parang ang lamya namin. Kasi ako kahit napapaos ako pinipilit kong i-up sila kasi minsan nanggagaling sa akin 'yung energy na pag makulit ako, makulit sila," said Grethcel Soltones, who also chipped in eight points and eight digs despite being under the weather.
"So 'yun ang medyo babaguhin namin, na dapat kahit sino'ng nandiyan sa loob, dapat iangat 'yung energy kasi kapag naumpisahan kasi namin, tuloy-tuloy," she added.
On the other hand, Galeries had four players in twin-digit scoring to pace the losing cause, with veteran Aiza Maizo-Pontillas leading the crew by having 17 points.