AT A GLANCE
Akari fought back from two sets down to survive a resilient Farm Fresh, 25-11, 23-25, 18-25, 25-21, 15-9, and barge into the quarterfinals of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City on Tuesday, March 4.
Akari fought back from two sets down to survive a resilient Farm Fresh, 25-11, 23-25, 18-25, 25-21, 15-9, and barge into the quarterfinals of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City on Tuesday, March 4.
The Chargers, coming into the game as the lower-seeded squad at seventh, dug deep in their offensive prowess particularly late in the fifth set en route to the crucial win and join early quarterfinalists Creamline Cool Smashers, Galeries Tower Highrisers, Choco Mucho Flying Titans and Petro Gazz Angels.
Ivy Lacsina spearheaded Akari once again by waxing hot at the attack line, firing 21 kills to finish with 22 points.
“Nagtiwala lang talaga kami sa sistema ni coach samin, pati na rin sa isa’t isa,” a teary-eyed Lacsina said. “Madami kaming pinadaanan the past few days, so pam-boost na rin tong panalop samin.”
CJ Soyud also fueled the Chargers with 14 points including 10 attacks, while Grethcel Soltones came off the bench with 11 points highlighted by three blocks.
After a dominating opening frame, Akari appeared to have lost its steam particularly in the third set, where it gave up nine points on errors despite its attempts to regain the upperhand.
They slowly got their rhythm in the fourth with Lacsina teaming up with Grethcel Soltones, who had fully recovered from a right hand strain, to extend the match into a deciding fifth frame.
Trisha Tubu and Rachel Daquis tried to keep Farm Fresh afloat, tying the game at 7-all after trailing 0-4 at the start of the fifth set.
But it turned out to be the Foxies’ last stand as Lacsina and Soltones joined forces for the Chargers’ next five points to gain a 12-7 cushion and never looked back.
Overall, Akari overpowered Farm Fresh in kills, 59-49, and was solid at the net with 12 blocks compared to the Foxies’ only two. The Chargers also unloaded nine aces including four from Michelle Cobb.
Tubu scored 23 points while Alyssa Bertolano added 13 in a losing effort for Farm Fresh, who were relegated to the play-in tournament for the two quarters berth.
No comments:
Post a Comment