Soyud makes heads turn

Amid the gathering of stars in Antipolo, Eli Soyud shone the brightest with a performance to remember as Akari jumpstarted its 2024-2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference semifinals on a positive note.

Soyud unleashed a career-best 34 points to tow the Chargers to a dramatic come-from-behind, 20-25, 25-19, 25-23, 22-25, 16-14, victory over a stunned Choco Mucho side on Saturday at the Ynares Center to step closer to the championship round.

The winger was red-hot on offense, banging in 27 attack points and was as efficient at the front of the net with seven kill blocks — just three short of tying the single-game league record.

Without a doubt, Soyud made a huge impact on Akari and her efforts did not go unnoticed as she claimed the PVL Press Corps Player of the Week presented by Pilipinas Live recognition for the period of 25 to 29 March.

Her 34-point performance ranked sixth among a local player’s single-game scoring record list since the league’s inception in 2017.

‘This is my time. I’m give the playing time and I want to make the most of it.’

Despite shouldering the bulk of the team’s scoring output in ending Choco Mucho’s nine-game winning streak, the Adamson University product deflected the credit to her teammates.

“My teammates fought hard for this. The communication was there. So for me, we can’t let our efforts go to waste,” Soyud said.

“We can’t win if we don’t put our backs into it. We just gave it our all to leave no regrets,” she added.

The 29-year-old Negrense winger edged out teammate libero Justine Jazareno and Petro Gazz ace spiker Brooke Van Sickle and setter Chie Saet for the weekly citation of the competition streamed live and on-demand via the Pilipinas Live app and on www.pvl.ph.

Once in the shadows of the top aces she used to play along with from her college days to the pros, Soyud’s scintillating renaissance as a Charger has been a sight to behold.

It has now been her life’s mission in Akari to repay the trust of the team that took a chance on her from when she used to be underestimated and overlooked.

“This is my time. I’m give the playing time and I want to make the most of it,” Soyud said.

“I just grabbed the opportunity and took advantage of my minutes inside the court to prove what I’m capable of.”

Soyud and the rest of the Chargers can seal their entry to a second straight PVL Finals against five-peat-seeking Creamline on 1 April at the Philsports Arena and Petro Gazz on 3 April at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Meanwhile, Soyud was on cloud nine when told about her inclusion on the list of players being eyed to make the national team.

“I was surprised to be included in the wish list. No one expected me to be there,” Soyud said.

“Everyone will always have something to say. But for me, I just focus on playing for my team, helping them, and lifting us up.”