Akari import Annie Mitchem in action. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA — Akari moved closer to a quarterfinals berth after sweeping also-ran Nxled, 25-13, 25-17, 25-22, in their sister team affair in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference on Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
It was a bounce-back win for Akari after losing two straight games.
Import Annie Mitchem paved the way for the straight-set triumph, unleashing 22 points on 19 attacks, two blocks, and one ace; Grethcel Soltones registered a double-double of 12 points and 11 excellent digs; while Mars Alba steered that offense with 21 excellent sets and added three points.
"Actually we got a really, really, really nice recovery. But even though marami pa rin kaming lapses from the past games, we still have to improve 'yung mga small balls namin. But I'm really happy we recovered and we played well against Nxled," said coach Tina Salak during the postgame press conference.
"Medyo half-hearted ako kasi 'yung team ko before was Nxled. Still, iba na 'yung mission namin today," Salak added.
The Chargers had to stop a resistance from the Nxled side in the third frame after they squandered a nine-point lead, 19-10, and allowed the latter to be within two, 21-19.
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But Salak's wards finally came through as they reached match point, 24-21, thanks to an Ezra Madrigal drop ball hit.
Paola Martinez answered back with an off-speed kill to save one match point, 24-22, but Alba was there to set up Ced Domingo's running attack, clinching the match after one hour and 23 minutes.
Akari won in all three scoring departments: 48-26 in attacks, 3-0 in blocking, and 8-5 in service aces, offsetting 21 errors given out to Nxled.
On the other hand, Martinez and Chiara Permentilla paced the green-and-white jerseys with 10 points each.