The Akari Chargers are one step closer to their title aspirations after powering past the Farm Fresh Foxes in the quarterfinals of the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
The Akari Chargers continued their immaculate run in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference after holding off the Farm Fresh Foxies in four sets, 17-25, 25-18, 25-22, 25-23, to advance to the semifinals at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Saturday, August 24.
The Chargers trailed early in the fourth set after a spirited start from the Foxies, led by import Yeny Murillo and Kate Santiago.
Down 8-14 in the decisive frame, Akari went on a 6-0 blast to tie the score, taking advantage of Farm Fresh’s attack errors during the run.
Back-to-back attacks from Eli Soyud and Camille Victoria then gave the Chargers a three-point lead at 18-15.
But the Foxies still showed their fight in them, cutting the lead to just a single point at 20-21 after Louie Romero’s service ace.
Caitlin Viray tied the game at 22-all after her through-the-block kill, which was quickly countered by Grethcel Soltones’ crosscourt attack.
Santiago tied the game again after her attack, which the Chargers failed to send over.
But Akari would not be denied of history after Soltones’ attack, followed by Victoria’s kill block on Santiago. Making their first-ever PVL playoff appearance, the Chargers will also play in their first semifinals next week, taking a perfect 9-0 record into the next round.
Soltones led the charge with 17 points on 16 attacks and one service ace. Okaro also had 17 markers, while Ivy Lacsina added 12 points in the historic victory.
Dani Ravena, who went down with a right knee injury in the fourth set, had an excellent game on the defensive end with 17 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions.
Trisha Tubu paced Farm Fresh with 15 points, while Murillo and Viray had 12 apiece in the loss. Setter Janel Delerio finished with 21 excellent digs and 19 excellent receptions.