NINE AND COUNTING

Akari keeps PVL Reinforced streak running, books semis berth after booting out Farm Fresh

The Akari Chargers celebrate booking their first semifinal appearance for the franchise. —PHOTOS BY PVL

Akari has been making history of its own, and it can top that as it enters the semifinals of the PVL Reinforced Conference.

The Chargers ended Farm Fresh’s campaign with a 17-25, 25-18, 25-22, 25-23 victory Saturday night at Filoil EcoOil Centre and moved within a win of a Finals appearance—which would be a franchise first.

“I knew it wasn’t gonna be as easy of a match, it’ll be more difficult than the last games cause we know that they’re gonna come in a lot more motivated to win because it’s all or nothing at this point,” Oly Okaro said after Akari completed a come-from behind win.

Oly Okaro, with ball, rises for an attack.

The Chargers remain undefeated after nine games as they await for the winner between powerhouse teams Chery Tiggo and PLDT, which battle for a semifinal spot of their own on Tuesday.

For Grethcel Soltones, part of the big three of Akari with Okaro and Ivy Lacsina, as the competition gets tougher, the Chargers need to learn to enjoy the game a bit more.

“During the game when we are trying to keep up in the sets, we have been having problems enjoying the game,” Soltones said. “We get quiet and then look at each other who will go first.” “As early as the first set we need someone to step up immediately,” she added.

Ivy Lacsina (right) is one of Akari’s top local threats.

First set loss

Soltones, who also had 10 excellent receptions, and Okaro kept Akari afloat with 17 points apiece, both from 16 attack points. Lacsina added 12 points, with the returning Kamille Cal tossing 14 excellent sets.

Cams Victoria also made an impact with nine points, four from blocks.

Dani Ravena caught 17 excellent digs as well as 10 excellent receptions before hurting her right knee in the fourth frame.“We did not get where we are right now doing things the easy way,” Soltones said. “My inspiration was my teammates, the hard work [we put in], especially, like we said: When the fight is getting intense, we should look for something to hold on to.”

Akari looked like it was going to get a brutal awakening after Farm Fresh came out of the gates ready to put a dent on the Chargers’ blistering winning run.

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But the No. 1 team found its footing in the succeeding sets.

The Foxies managed to keep in step with Akari but the Chargers launched an all-out attack with a 5-1 run to keep the momentum on their side, 20-16.

Soltones landed a cross-court with Kate Santiago immediately responding to knot the game at 23-all. Soltones scored a clutch point down the line before Victoria sealed the game by blocking Santiago.

“We are really happy [to get the win] but everything doesn’t end here,” Lacsina said. “Every game now will get tougher so we need to work a lot more [including] our overall movement as a team.” INQ