Chargers end three-game slide

Akari repulsed a furious fourth set uprising by Chery Tiggo to essay a 22-25, 26-24, 25-18, 25-20, victory and arrest a three-game slide in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference Tuesday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Grethcel Soltones and Fifi Sharma anchored the Chargers’ endgame charge to close the year on a high note for an even 3-3 win-loss record.

Soltones smashed 20 of her 22 points off kills including the game-clinching spike that broke through the Crossovers’ defense to end the two-hour, 21-minute encounter.

The wing spiker added nine digs and seven excellent receptions as Akari recovered from a string of three straight-set losses after starting the season-opening conference with three consecutive victories.

“I would just like to appreciate all the players because their morale was down because we lost in nine sets. It’s a normal reaction for the players and coaches,” Chargers head coach Taka Minowa said.

“But we got to win this game and that’s a good thing.”

Sharma played her best game in the conference with 16 points from eight kills, two aces and accounted for six of Akari’s 16 kill blocks. Ivy Lacsina added 15 points for the Chargers.

Akari turned the tables around after stealing the extended second set.

The Chargers raced to a 16-11 advantage in the fourth set before Chery Tiggo rallied to tie it at 17 following an Ara Galang hit. Akari answered with a 6-2 run for a 23-19 lead.

The Crossovers scored on the next play before Cams Victoria scored on a kill block before Soltones’ closing hit.

Chery Tiggo slipped to a 3-2 slate tied with PLDT.

Galang and Cess Robles led the Crossovers with 14 markers each while Pauline Gaston had nine points.