By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Akari continued its dream run in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference as it hacked out a tough 25-22, 18-25, 22-25, 26-24, 17-15 victory over PLDT on Saturday, Aug. 31, to book the first finals berth at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Chargers crawled back from a 2-1 set deficit and turned back the feisty High Speed Hitters not only to extend their unbeaten run to 10 games but to move one victory away from their first-ever franchise title.
It was actually Akari’s first finals appearance as it hasn’t placed no higher than seventh since joining the league in 2022.
“Sa lahat ng five sets na nilaro namin, ito yung pinakamahirap at memorable,” said Ivy Lacsina, who fired timely kills in the crunch and finished with 19 points.
With the win, the Chargers will face the winner between the Cignal HD Spikers and the Creamline Cool Smashers for the winner-take-all championship crown.
The victory, however, was marred with controversy as PLDT, who was leading 14-13 in the pivotal fifth set, was denied a net touch challenge by an Akari player.
Had match officials granted the challenge, it would have given the High Speed Hitters the match-clinching point.
PVL Commissioner Sherwin Malonzo explained that the second motion net touch was not a violation because the player involved was already out of play.
Since the challenge was called mid-rally and was unsuccessful, the point was given to Akari.
The Chargers took this opportunity against the High Speed Hitters, who visibly rattled by the incident.
The match went on for two hours and 45 minutes with American Oly Okaro exploding for 39 points built on 35 kills and four blocks, while Grethcel Soltones chipped in 16 points.
They outshone the efforts of Elena Samoilenko for PLDT, who pumped in 30 points, as well as the combined 29-point production of Erika Santos and Fiolla Ceballos.
“I just tried to stay composed as much as possible. We knew what to do in the situation because we’ve been in this kind of situation before,” Okaro said.
