Akari Chargers celebrate after beating Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals.-MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
ANTIPOLO–One point away from walking off the floor in sheer devastation, Akari reversed its fortune by turning back Choco Mucho, 20-25, 25-19, 25-23, 22-25, 16-14, on Saturday night at the start of the semifinal phase in the PVL All Filipino Conference.
Faith Nisperos eluded two soaring defenders and whacked a crosscourt strike that dropped to an empty lot, completing the Chargers’ amazing come-from-behind escape act.
The Chargers emptied their bench, stormed the Ynares Center Antipolo center court and hugged in jubilation after that Nisperos wallop, which was preceded by Mich Cobb’s authoritative block on the power-smashing Sisi Rondina that eventually erased the Flying Titans’ three-point advantage late in the deciding set.
READ: PVL semifinals preview: Creamline’s drive for five faces familiar foes
Akari coach Taka Minowa, Eli Soyud, and Justine Jazareño after snapping Choco Mucho’s 9-game winning streak in the semis. #PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/LNH138XHJK
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 29, 2025
“We talked to each other during the huddle that we cannot let this opportunity slip away. We don’t want to waste this chance,” said Eli Soyud after leading the Chargers with a career-high 34 points, highlighted by 27 attacks on top of seven kill blocks.
Cobb tossed 23 excellent sets and had a pair of crucial blocks on Rondina while Ced Domingo had 14 points built around 10 attacks.
After a shaky elimination phase where they won only five out of 11 outings, the Chargers seemed rejuvenated after sweeping through the quarterfinals opposite the resurgent Galeries Tower Highrisers and kicking off their semifinal bid on an auspicious note.
“My teammates always keep me motivated. Everybody communicates and gives their best every game,” said Soyud.
It was a Rondina show for much of the fourth set, her daunting wallop and Ivy Lacsina’s service error pushing the Flying Titans within three points of forcing the five-setter.
SCHEDULE: 2025 PVL All-Filipino Conference SEMIFINALS
Deanna Wong’s push that caught the Chargers off guard and an Akari net fault eventually brought the match to the max.
Chasing the Flying Titans after a forgettable opening set, the Chargers went to Soyud in the succeeding frame while neutralizing enemy fire with superb reception.
Soyud went on a smashing frenzy, sending an assortment of projectiles to the opposite floor capped by a crosscourt spike at set point that leveled the count.
Trailing for the majority of the third set, the Chargers banked on another Soyud cross and Desiree Cheng’s service blunder, forcing the deadlock at 23.
Royse Tubino then miscalculated her smash, hitting the antenna for an Akari point before Cobb returned Isa Molde’s attack that wrapped up the set.
Rondina led the Flying Titans with 29 points, including 28 attacks, but fumbled at the end of the final set where Cobb deflected her smash followed by another hit that went beyond the end line, allowing the Chargers to level the count for the last time at 14.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
The Chargers face the defending champion Creamline Cool Smashers on Tuesday in this single-round semifinal, so the two-day break following that crucial win comes as welcome respite.
“Recovery is one of our priorities because the games are scheduled close to each other. We will go back to planning and see the things that we lack,” said Soyud.
