Games on Thursday
(Mall of Asia Arena)
1 p.m. – Galeries Tower vs Nxled (PVL)
3:30 p.m. – NU vs Alpha Insurance (Spikers’ Turf)
6 p.m. – Farm Fresh vs Choco Mucho (PVL)
NOTHING beats old-fashioned team chemistry.
That was where the Akari Chargers relied on as they subdued the PLDT High Speed Hitters, 25-18, 25-19, 25-22, on Tuesday night to claim their breakthrough victory in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“Nag stick kami sa plan and nagtiwala sa bawat isa,” said Akari spiker Ivy Lacsina, who came through when the team needed her most.
It was familiarity with one another that worked wonders for Akari especially in defense where it completely took away the two-time league champion’s rhythm from start to finish.
And team captain and libero Justine Jazareno and battle-scarred Gretchel Soltones were at the center of it all after presiding over the team’s rock-solid floor defense with the former getting 15 digs and the latter seven digs and 13 excellent receptions.
“Hindi dapat mawala leadership naming at kung magkamali, kailangan bumangon lang agad,” said Ms. Jazareno.
It was the first victory for the Chargers that got them on board after dropping their first two assignments.
More importantly, it breathed life to Akari’s bid of making the semifinals.
That is, of course, reliant on how the Chargers would respond to the challenge in their last five elimination round outings.
PLDT dropped to 0-2. — Joey Villar