The Akari Chargers played in yet another five-setter in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA (UPDATED) — Akari claimed its second win of the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference by surviving Chery Tiggo EV in a five-set marathon, 25-11, 22-25, 29-27, 17-25, 15-7, on Tuesday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
It was another five-setter for the Chargers following a win over defending champion Creamline that went to the limit on Saturday, 23-25, 25-23, 30-28, 23-25, 15-12.
They now hold the lead in Pool B, having a 2-0 win-loss card, while the Crossovers dropped their second game in a row.
After their rivals forced a decider, the Chargers kept their composure and focus, not letting their Set 4 let-up go through their heads.
From a narrow 4-3 Akari lead, Tina Salak wards' went on to a 6-1 blast, concluded by a Grethcel Soltones down-the-line hit to install an 11-5 cushion on their favor.
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As the Crossovers secured their 7th point after an Ara Galang off-speed, 12-7, the Chargers answered back with three straight points, highlighted by an Annie Mitchem kill block and a Renee Penafiel attack error to gift Akari another triumph.
Star libero Justine Jazareno led the stoppage of Chery Tiggo with 27 excellent digs and six excellent receptions, earning the Player of the Game nod.
"Every day naman po naka-mindset kami na we have to prove ourselves. Siyempre, hindi naman natatapos ‘yung isang game lang. Kailangan day by day, game by game," said the Alas Pilipinas standout after the game.
Akari had a balanced attack from import Mitchem and Eli Soyud with 17 points each, while middle blocker Ced Domingo listed 16 points including five blocks.
Rookie Chen Tagaod had 11 markers, while playmaker Mars Alba made the offense possible with 21 excellent sets.
For their part, standout spiker Cess Robles had 20 points on 16 attacks and four blocks, while import Yunieska Batista chipped in 17 points, 14 excellent digs, and nine excellent receptions, showing her all-around game.
Mylene Paat, in her second game back after recovering from a shoulder injury, had eight points and three blocks.