Oly Okaro and the Akari Chargers come back to beat the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Oly Okaro exploded for 38 points to push Akari past Choco Mucho, 18-25, 16-25, 25-21, 25-23, 15-13, in the PVL Reinforced Conference on Tuesday at Philsports Arena.
Okaro highlighted her conference-high outburst with 33 attacks that went with two blocks and three aces for the Chargers, who improved to 2-0.
The American import tied the season-high output of Creamline’s Tots Carlos in the last All-Filipino Conference.
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Akari coach Taka Minowa, Oly Okaro, and Ivy Lacsina after a 2-0 start in the Reinforced Conference — the franchise’s best start in league history. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/as35ydEtgm
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 23, 2024
“I am very proud of how I performed, I know there’s also things that I didn’t do very well and it’s something I am gonna work on moving forward but I just came ready to fight. I knew that there’s no way I am leaving without fighting,” Okaro said.
Grethcel Soltones provided backup with 12 points, nine excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions while Ivy Lacsina had 10 points and 12 excellent receptions.
Choco Mucho dropped to a 0-2 card, its worst start since joining the pro league despite Dindin Santiago-Manabat scoring 16 points against her former squad.
Royse Tubino and reinforcement Zoi Faki contributed 14 points apiece while mainstays Maddie Madayag and Maika Ortiz chipped in nine points.
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“Even after we lost the first two sets it turned from a physical game to a mental game as well just knowing that you need to stay strong mentally because now it’s gonna be a long game so i think we executed it pretty well,” Okaro said.
Okaro’s offensive performance also made up for Akari’s 40 errors. The Chargers also drew 22 excellent sets from Kamille Cal.
The Chargers showed great resolve, overcoming a two-set deficit and a 10-4 hole in the fourth set behind Okaro.
“I was in destroy mode because I was just thinking even though we lost the first two sets it didn’t mean anything to me. I just really wanted to win, I just wanted to do everything that we could to win,” Okaro said as Akari tries to continue its blistering start against Petro Gazz on Saturday.
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