Oluoma Okaro provided instant impact in her first game as an Akari Charger.
Oluoma Okaro is a woman on a mission.
Okaro starred in her debut game as an Akari Charger, spearheading the Taka-Minowa mentored squad to a 25-18, 27-25, 22-25 and 25-14 win over the Capital1 Solar Spikers for a victorious start in the 2024 Reinforced Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig on Thursday, July 18.
The American hitter was in the forefront of a sizzling Chargers attack, collecting 16 points, built on 14 attacks, one ace and one block to earn the Player of the Game honors.
Ivy Lacsina also put up a blazing debut performance for Akari with a team-high 20 points as the former Nxled Chameleon further solidify his spot as the team's main offensive gunner.
Akari bucked a third set stumble with a more composed outing in the fourth set, regaining their offensive groove just in time before sealing an impressive win.
The Chargers now earned their first preliminaries win and joined defending champion Petro Gazz Angels atop of the team standings in Pool B.
Holding a 2-0 set lead, Akari overcame an early 8-4 deficit in the third and tied the game at 11-apiece after Okara’s drop ball went in.
The two teams figured in a see-saw battle in the closing moments of the third set but Capital1’s import in Marina Tushova nailed decisive back-to-back points to keep the Solar Spikers alive.
Meanwhile, Tushova paced the Solar Spikers with 20 points, becoming the lone double-digit scorer for the team as rookie Roma Mae Doromal had an impressive debut showing with 13 excellent digs.
Akari next faces the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in their next Pool B match on Tuesday, July 23 at the same Pasig venue.