Even after losing team captain Michelle Cobb due to a neck injury, the Akari Chargers found a way to fend off the Nxled Chameleons and return to the win column in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
The Akari Chargers are back in the win column after powering past their sister team, the Nxeld Chameleons, in four sets, 21-25, 25-20, 26-24, and 25-18, in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig on Thursday, January 23.
The Chargers had to overcome a tough stand put up by the Chameleons, who took the first set and kept the game close throughout.
Akari team captain Michelle Cobb went down with a neck injury after diving for the ball during the second set. The experienced setter had to be stretchered off from the court.
In a report by PVL courtside reporter Sam Corrales, Cobb was said to be responsive in the dugout as she was attended to by physicians.
The Chargers started slow once more in the fourth set but with errors hounding the Chameleons, the Taka Minowa-led squad regained the lead.
With momentum on their side, Akari went on a blocking spree to pull away from Nxled, with Fifi Sharma's service ace marking their biggest lead at 21-14.
Ivy Lacsina and Faith Nisperos closed the game out, scoring the final two points to secure the team's fourth win in the conference.
Lacsina was hailed the Player of the Game with 17 points on 14 attacks, one block, and two service aces.
Akari now sits with a 4-4 record, while Nxled remains winless at 0-7.
The Chargers will go for back-to-back wins against the Capital1 Solar Spikers on February 1.