Akari springs to life, nears bronze

Akari completed a stunning comeback after dropping the first two sets to eke out a 24-26, 21-25, 25-15, 25-18, 15-11 win over Choco Mucho in Game 1 of their Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference best-of-three battle for third place series on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Led by a strong all-around effort, the Chargers capitalized on their momentum from the third set to hand the Flying Titans their fourth consecutive defeat — a slump that started when Akari eliminated them in the semifinals.

Eli Soyud led the offensive assault, finishing with 24 points built on 20 attacks, two blocks, and two service aces while Ivy Lacsina chipped in 20 markers and Grethcel Soltones added 15 points for Akari, which moved a heartbeat away from bagging a podium finish.

Libero Justine Jazareno, who was named Player of the Game, anchored the floor defense with 29 excellent digs.

Jazareno expressed the team’s hunger to finish strong.

“We wanted to win this game for the bronze. We really worked hard for this,” said the former De La Salle University star.

“I’m just thankful for the opportunity and the trust given to me.”

The Flying Titans started strong, winning the first two sets with their signature quick plays and solid net defense. But Akari flipped the script in the third set to dictate the tempo that left Choco Mucho groping for form.

Akari continued to surge in the fourth set, breaking a 5-all deadlock with a 5-1 run capped by a Soyud service ace.

Lacsina proved unstoppable at the middle, hammering a kill that gave Akari a 16-9 advantage while watching Choco Mucho crumble to pressure en route to stretching the game to a decider.

The fifth set saw both teams trading blows early until Soyud fired a kill block that gave Akari a 9-7 cushion.

Errors from Choco Mucho further widened the gap, and Rondina’s attack error handed the Chargers the match point. Soltones then sealed the victory with a well-placed drop ball, triggering a wild celebration in the game that served as appetizer to the blockbuster finals duel between Petro Gazz and Creamline.

Royse Tubino finished with 19 points off 14 kills, four blocks, and an ace while Sisi Rondina added 18 markers with 14 attacks and four blocks for the Flying Titans, who also drew 10 points from Isa Molde.