Chargers recharge for sudden-death encounter

Akari is taking full advantage of the Holy Week break to prepare for another do-or-die match in its quest to reach the semifinals of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.

Through to the final stage of the Play-in tournament, the Chargers are taking a few days to recharge before returning to barracks to plot their game plan against their familiar foe and traditional powerhouse Creamline.

“The next round won’t get any easier. We’re going up against a team in the top six,” Akari coach Tina Salak said as her team braces for war on 7 April at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

The Chargers went through the wringer before repulsing crowd-darling Choco Mucho in an edge-of-your-seat five-set classic, 25-15, 23-25, 25-16, 15-25, 21-19, Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Akari’s win booked a winner-take-all showdown against another Rebisco team in third-seeded Creamline for the right to join PLDT and Cignal in the round robin Final Four.

“Hopefully, we can replicate our win over Choco Mucho when we take on Creamline,” Salak said.

“We can’t just settle. It’s a win (over the Flying Titans), yes. But we have to work harder to reach our next step, which is the semifinals. Our main goal is to go on top.”

Salak is also reminding her players to stay focused and control their emotions.

“We have to settle down first. We’re still on cloud nine because of the win, but we need to get our feet back on the ground. We’ll take time to rest and reflect. Be inspired and reset our mindset towards Creamline,” she said.

“It’s not going to be any easier. But for now, we have to value the players’ recovery to push ourselves to the next round.”

The Chargers have the psychological advantage over the Cool Smashers, whom they beat in four sets in the preliminary round.

Meanwhile, Nxled and Farm Fresh battle in the other final stepladder stage of the Play-in.