Make it 10 straight wins for the Akari Chargers on their way to their first Finals appearance in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
The magical run is not yet done for the Akari Chargers.
Akari scored its biggest victory in franchise history, eliminating the PLDT High Speed Hitters in a five-set classic in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference semifinals Saturday at the MOA Arena.
The Chargers scored a a 25-22, 18-25, 22-25, 26-24, 17-15 decision, their 10th straight in the conference against no losses to advance to their first-ever PVL Finals.
Oly Okaro exploded for a PVL career-high 39 points, giving the Chargers a chance as the league’s top-ranked team fell behind two sets to one.
Trailing 12-14 in the final set, Akari rallied to victory, with the Chargers also taking advantage of a long standoff as the High Speed Hitters were unsuccessful in a challenge that would have awarded PLDT the victory.
[Related: PVL explains controversial unsuccessful challenge by PLDT against Akari in Reinforced Conference semis]
Despite the delay, PLDT actually regained match point, only for Grethcel Soltones to connect on two crucial hits to put Akari on top, 16-15. An attack error by High Speed Hitters Elena Samoilenko ended the match.
After Okaro's 39 points, Ivy Lacsina fired 19 points for Akari, emerging as the Chargers' top local. Soltones added 15 in the victory.
Samoilenko paced PLDT with 30 points, but the loss and the controversy towards the end certainly makes the elimination all the more painful for the High Speed Hitters. Erika Santos finished with 15 points, while Fiola Ceballos was good for 14 markers.