Akari gets charge back

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental — Akari arrested a three-game slide with an inspired performance to beat hapless Gerflor, 25-18, 25-15, 25-19, in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Saturday before a jampacked crowd inside the Aquilino Q. Pimentel International Convention Center.

Hometown pride Erika Raagas and another Mindanaoan winger Faith Nisperos received loud applause from the local volleyball fans for their great showing to help the Chargers get back on the winning track and stay in the semifinals hunt.

"Well, it's a good step forward and I'm thankful that we all put our heads together, really tried to help each other during the game and we had full trust in our coaches' system and with each other," Nisperos said.

The Chargers found a way to shake off the Defenders halfway into each set after engaging in back-and-forth battles early.

Nisperos, whose family drove for hours from Davao City to see her play, did not disappoint, pounding in all of her 11 points off kills to lead the Chargers. Eli Soyud also delivered 11 points in two sets of play.

Fifi Sharma and Dindin Santiago-Manabat added eight points each while Raagas, who grew up in the City of Golden Friendship, chipped in five points in Akari's one-hour, 31-minute victory.

Meanwhile, Raagas and Gerflor head coach Sammy Acaylar were awarded plaques of recognition for making CDO proud with their achievements in the sport.

Middle blocker Ezra Madrigal imposed her will in front of the net with five of her six points coming off the 11 total kill blocks tallied by the Chargers.

"The guys really played great so it's time to celebrate and prepare for the next step," Akari coach Jorge Souza de Brito said. "It was the perfect environment to play."

Gerflor dropped its eighth game in as many outings to remain winless along with idle Galeries Tower.

Danika Gendrauli scored nine points as no Defender reached double figures. Shang Berte had eight points while Jeanette Vilareal got six for Gerflor.