Akari turned to Annie Mitchem to get its first-ever franchise win over defending champion Creamline, 23-25, 25-23, 30-28, 23-25, 15-12, in the PVL Reinforced Conference on Saturday night at Dasmariñas Arena.
Mitchem, who had a delayed debut due to the International Transfer Certificates dispute, pounded 32 kills and one block to finish with a game-high 33 points as the Chargers finally beat the Cool Smashers for the first time after 10 tries. The American hitter scored back-to-back kills to erase a 7-9 deficit in the fifth before crucial miscues sent them to match point, 14-11. Mitchem asked for the ball and broke Creamline’s wall to win the match in three hours and 16 minutes.
‘I’m really happy and proud of us because this team is really good. That’s what everyone said, and I’m very glad that we won this game, it was like really difficult,’ said Mitchem, who had 14 excellent receptions. ‘We were down by a lot of points in some moments, but we came back, which I’m so proud of. We didn’t give up, and I think that’s just a really big win for us, for the coaches, for everyone.’
Akari exacted sweet revenge against its Reinforced final tormentor Creamline, which swept the finale last year. ‘Of course, we’ve been waiting for this win against Creamline. It happened today. It was a team effort especially the coaches’ decision-making. It was on point,’ said new Akari coach Tinas Salak.
‘Also, Creamline is the best team, we know that they are a champion team. But our team is also intact and has a big potential as this conference goes.’ Eli Soyud also stepped up for the Chargers with 14 points. Middle blockers Fifi Sharma and Ced Domingo chipped in 13 and 12 points, respectively, with setter Mars Alba tossing 21 excellent sets.
Akari tries to get win No. 2 against Chery Tiggo on Tuesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Creamline dropped its opening game just like last year’s Reinforced, with Courtney Schwan debuting with 26 points, 15 digs, and nine excellent receptions.