Akari took an early 2-0 lead in Pool B after eking out a 25-11, 22-25, 29-27, 17-25, 15-7 win over Chery Tiggo EV in the PVL Reinforced Conference on Tuesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After failing to close out the game in the fourth set, Ced Domingo restored the order in the decider, scoring four of her 16 points for a commanding 11-5 lead. Fifi Sharma’s running attack and Annie Mitchem’s big block sent Akari to match point, 14-7, before Ren Peñafiel committed an attack error.
Domingo scattered seven kills, five blocks, and four aces. Mitchem and Eli Soyud had 17 points each, with the latter tallying five aces. Chenie Tagaod had 11 points, Sharma chipped in 10 points, while Grethcel Soltones added eight.
‘Of course, coming into this game, I really set a personal mindset and focused on my own goals. First was to contribute to blocking, since that’s the most important for me. And I think the rest of the skills just followed after that,’ said Domingo in Filipino.’
‘In the 5th set, we just needed that one spark to get everyone going. And I really want to commend Ate Grethc because she was that sparkplug for us. When she stepped up, everyone followed.’
Justine Jazareno had 27 digs, while new setter Mars Alba continued to spell the difference for the Chargers with 21 excellent sets and an attack kill to stay unbeaten in two games following a breakthrough win against Creamline on Saturday in Dasmariñas, Cavite.
‘Our matches against teams like Creamline and Chery Tiggo really showed us something,’ said Akari coach Tina Salak in Filipino.
‘In those five-set games, you could really see the team’s character and growth. We stayed composed. A lot of us are maturing and taking on bigger roles and responsibilities. So it’s a good thing that aside from winning those tough five-setters, each player is also growing individually.’
Akari has nine days to prepare for Petro Gazz on October 23 at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Cess Robles carried the Crossovers with 20 points, while Yunieska Batista had 17 points, 14 digs, and nine receptions. Ara Galang and Mylene Paat delivered nine and eight points, respectively.
Chery Tiggo remained winless in two games, hoping to enter the win column in Ilagan City against Petro Gazz on Saturday.